From the Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, a quarterly online publication, serves as a forum for those involved in the space operations field to communicate with one another in order to share ideas that could improve the way operations are carried out in space. The Journal is a cross-disciplinary scholarly publication designed to advance space communication as a profession and as an academic discipline. The Journal is distributed electronically without charge to users on a global basis. JSOC contains peer-reviewed articles, comments and case notes written by leading scientists, professors, and practitioners in their respective fields of aerospace expertise. The editorial board seeks articles that demonstrate exemplary academic research of emerging trends in space technology and space operations fields.

This current issue is dedicated to the space insurance market that provides risk mitigation coverage for collision-avoiding satellites, cubesats, nanosats, and constellations thereof. Previous issues have described recent technical developments in data transmission between spacecraft orbiting in an integrated spacescape that affords exploratory connections with Earth, the Moon, Mars, international space stations, and other planetary bodies of Space. Yet, their mission performance variability perceived by insurers results from shorter than designed satellite lifetimes, component malfunctions, or impactful interference of space weather or debris. The recent demonstration of on-orbit servicing satellites to refuel, repair, and additively manufacture replacements for damaged satellite components, assures the reliability for extended mission operations. Additionally, as described in the current issue, technology to manage orbital space debris removal has been demonstrated with manipulator-assisted, or robotic-aided rendezvous and proximity docking to space debris and end-of-life satellites to LEO± graveyard stations. All these developments signify a transformative spacescape providing viable opportunities for space insurance market frustrated by indicators of limited profitability.

Sincerely,
Ronald H. Freeman, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
January 1, 2021