Colorado Springs, Colo.—Space Force’s Bold Move Towards Commercial Alternatives
The U.S. Space Force is taking bold steps to reassess its acquisition strategy, seeking to determine which of its major programs might be scaled back or supplanted by commercial alternatives. At the recent Space Symposium, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, head of the Space Systems Command (SSC), emphasized that this was no mere academic exercise but a critical review that demands serious consideration across all projects.
A Comprehensive Review of Programs
The overarching question posed by the Space Force is significant: "Could I start over and meet my requirements commercially?" This introspective approach requires every program to be scrutinized, with the aim of identifying potential opportunities to leverage commercial capabilities. Garrant affirmed that “everything’s on the table,” revealing the broad scope of this evaluation, which includes high-stakes projects such as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), a ground-based radar initiative designed to track satellites deep in space, alongside SSC’s various satellite systems.
The review is spearheaded by Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, who voiced concerns about certain SSC programs that he believes are rife with "nearly unbounded risk exposure." This phrase points to programs that could potentially spiral into cost overruns and inefficiencies—issues that the Nunn-McCurdy legislation attempts to mitigate. With these issues in mind, there’s a pressing need for the Space Force to explore whether commercial partners can provide the required capabilities more effectively than traditional military programs.
Balancing Government and Commercial Needs
While the push for commercial alternatives is clear, Garrant noted that some missions would remain inherently governmental. Missions involving defensive and offensive space control are considered too critical to delegate to outside contractors. In contrast, capabilities such as satellite communications, commercial imagery, and GPS satellite operations may potentially be outsourced to commercial providers. This approach also extends to the Space Force’s ongoing search for ways to procure data rather than develop new systems—a practical method of overcoming resource constraints while tapping into existing commercial solutions.
Garrant’s insights illustrate a careful balancing act. While the Space Force aims to embrace commercial capabilities, it recognizes the need for bespoke government systems with "exquisite" requirements that are essential for strategic missions. His assertion that this seeks a "balance" rather than a complete shift in resources signals a commitment to leveraging both sectors effectively.
Commercial Space Strategy: Progress and Expectations
About a year after the unveiling of its commercial space strategy, the Space Force is making strides towards integrating commercial offerings into its operational framework. Garrant has reconfirmed that the Space Force has caught up with necessary planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes. The command is now committed to allocating funds in the budget specifically for commercial initiatives, which marks a significant evolution in their approach.
Beyond simply setting a strategy, Garrant emphasized, “We’re actually putting commercial in the budget.” This practical step means that Program Executive Officers (PEOs) are expected to capitalize on program dollars and invest in commercial solutions, highlighting the Space Force’s seriousness about collaborating with commercial industries.
Launching Orbital Watch: Expanding Threat Intelligence
In a related development, the Space Force introduced the “Orbital Watch,” a new program designed to share critical threat information with commercial partners regarding space hazards. This initiative underpins the Space Force’s commitment to enhancing industry relationships and providing necessary intelligence to bolster commercial space operations.
The Orbital Watch program will function in phases, starting with a “beta phase” aimed at quarterly distributions of threat assessments to more than 900 commercial enterprises. The eventual goal is to create a secure portal that facilitates two-way communication, enabling timely and accurate information sharing between the Space Force and private industry regarding potential threats in space.
Col. Richard Kniseley, a senior materials leader for SSC’s Commercial Space Office, affirmed that the program aligns directly with the Space Force’s commercial strategy and congressional goals to deepen collaborations with private companies. The established Front Door program will serve as a vital link between the government and industry partners, streamlining the process of threat information exchange.
Reassessing Acquisition for Future Needs
As the Space Force embarks on this critical reassessment of its acquisition strategies and partnerships, it signals a significant shift in how military operations may evolve to incorporate commercial capabilities. The path toward a synergistic relationship between military requirements and commercial innovation is not only pivotal for enhancing operational efficiency but also vital for keeping pace with rapid advancements in space technology and capabilities.
The Space Force’s commitment to examining every facet of its acquisitions forms a crucial part of its overarching mission to maintain a robust and resilient presence in an increasingly competitive and complex space domain.
