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The Pentagon Unveils Strategy Document for Leveraging Commercial Space Industry
A recently released strategy document by the Pentagon outlines the integration of the commercial space industry into various facets of the US military operations. John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, emphasizes the importance of utilizing the innovation and resilience of the commercial space sector to enhance the military’s capabilities and overall deterrence.
The US Space Force has been actively engaging with the commercial space industry by procuring services and equipment, such as satellite launch vehicles, from private companies. While the military maintains government-owned assets, it also supplements its operations with data and imagery purchased from commercial providers.
Plumb highlights the necessity of leveraging all available tools, including commercial solutions, to protect military personnel and ensure continuous access to space-related services. From launch services to space domain awareness and satellite communications, the commercial sector’s rapid innovation and technological advancements offer promising opportunities for collaboration.
Defining the Commercial Space Sector
The Pentagon distinguishes the commercial space sector as entities that develop and market capabilities for a wide range of customers, of which the military is just one. This separation underscores the difference between commercially available products and government-specific procurement of assets like airplanes and satellites.
Exploiting Commercial Opportunities
The choice between building in-house or purchasing externally is a familiar conundrum faced by many organizations. In the realm of space operations, the Pentagon increasingly leans towards procuring commercial services. With 13 defined mission areas for national security space, only one—Space Access, Mobility, and Logistics (SAML)—currently showcases a clear reliance on commercial providers for services like launch operations.
Additionally, six mission areas are identified as hybrid sectors combining both government-owned and commercial capabilities. These include Cyberspace operations, Satellite communications, Spacecraft operations, Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, Space domain awareness, and Environmental monitoring. In contrast, the remaining six mission areas primarily demand government intervention due to the absence of a mature commercial market or the inability of commercial capabilities to meet governmental requirements.
A core aspect of the Pentagon’s commercial space strategy involves fostering the development of new commercial space technologies. By supporting technology demonstrations and scientific research, the military aims to expand the scope of commercial offerings over time, potentially incorporating more mission areas into hybrid or fully commercial categories.
Ultimately, the strategy emphasizes the importance of sustained collaboration between the military and commercial space entities to propel innovation and enhance national security efforts. Plumb envisions a future where commercial partners continue to play a critical role in advancing military space capabilities, contributing to a robust and secure space ecosystem.
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