Defense Science Board Urges Greater Adoption of Commercial Space Technology in U.S. Military Operations

As the U.S. Space Force seeks to maintain its edge in an increasingly competitive and contested space domain, the Pentagon’s Defense Science Board (DSB) has issued a report calling for greater integration of commercial space technology into military operations. This follows the Space Force’s spring release of a high-level strategy aimed at leveraging commercial technology more effectively.

The Case for Commercial Space Technology

Commercial space technology has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. According to a 2023 report by McKinsey & Company, the global commercial space market was valued at $447 billion, with projections suggesting it could surpass $1 trillion by the 2030s. This rapid expansion has been driven by commercial firms launching rockets, building satellites, and providing essential services such as Earth observation and ground control. The DSB’s report emphasizes that the Defense Department (DoD) has much to gain by tapping into these innovations.

“Commercial firms are driven by the exigencies of the market to deliver new products quickly and cost-effectively, incentivizing innovation and high productivity,” the DSB panel stated. “The department has much to gain by leveraging those world-leading efficiencies.”

Recommendations from the Defense Science Board

The DSB’s report outlines several key recommendations to help the Space Force and the broader DoD integrate commercial space technology more effectively:

1. End-to-End Framework for Commercial Integration:

The report calls for the development of an end-to-end framework to ensure that commercial systems and services are considered in every step of the Space Force’s acquisition process. This means integrating commercial offerings when defining requirements, empowering program managers to fund dual-use technology maturation, and incorporating commercial capabilities into tabletop exercises and wargaming scenarios.

2. Budget and Procurement Strategies:

The DSB advises that the Space Force should align its budgets and procurement strategies to facilitate the rapid adoption of commercial technologies. This includes establishing a working capital fund to support the integration of commercial and DoD operations and sustainment. A pilot program is also recommended to test this concept in wideband military satellite communications, following the model currently used for commercial SATCOM.

3. Addressing Cultural and Bureaucratic Challenges:

Despite recognizing the utility of commercial capabilities, the DoD’s bureaucracy and culture often hinder their adoption. The report points out that policy interpretation, security concerns, acquisition practices, funding models, and operational employment limit the potential reach of commercial space technologies. To overcome these challenges, the DSB suggests streamlining processes and fostering a culture that encourages commercial integration.

4. Mitigating Security Risks:

The adoption of commercial space technology does come with risks, particularly regarding cybersecurity and the resilience of private sector systems against adversarial threats. The DSB recommends making resiliency a requirement in commercial contracts and providing companies with the resources needed to harden their satellites and ground systems. Additionally, the DoD should improve how it shares threat information with the industry and help commercial firms obtain security clearances through initiatives like DARPA’s Bridges program.

5. Vulnerability Assessments:

The DSB also suggests that the Space Force conduct vulnerability assessments of existing commercial providers. The insights gained from these assessments could inform future contracts and requirements, ensuring that commercial systems used by the military are robust and secure.

Strategic Implications for the Space Force

The Space Force has already made strides in embracing commercial space technology, adopting a “buy before you build” approach to space acquisition. This strategy involves surveying existing commercial capabilities before developing military-specific systems, allowing the Space Force to leverage the latest innovations in a cost-effective manner.

Both the Space Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense released strategies in April to further integrate commercial technology. The Pentagon’s plan emphasizes the need for greater protection of private sector spacecraft from adversarial threats, while the Space Force’s strategy highlights satellite communications and space domain awareness as key areas for commercial partnerships.

 Conclusion

As the U.S. continues to navigate the complexities of space operations, the integration of commercial space technology offers a path to maintaining technological superiority. The Defense Science Board’s recommendations provide a clear roadmap for how the Space Force and the broader DoD can embed these capabilities into their processes and acquisition plans.

By embracing commercial technology, the Space Force can not only enhance its operational capabilities but also ensure that it remains agile and responsive to the evolving threats and challenges of the space domain.