WASHINGTON — The Defense Department on April 2 released its first-ever strategy for integrating commercial space technology into the national security posture, a move that signals the Pentagon’s intent to leverage investments from the private space sector rather than relying solely on custom government systems.
But the Defense Department’s strategy also recognizes that there are structural, procedural and cultural obstacles the department must overcome to shift away from its traditional model of developing its own space systems solely for military purposes.
The Pentagon has historically prioritized bespoke, custom-designed government systems over off-the-shelf technologies, creating barriers to the adoption of commercial space products and services, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted in introducing the strategy.
“Integrating commercial solutions, rather than simply extending existing government systems, will require a shift in approach across the department,” Austin wrote in the report’s introduction. “Leaders at all levels will need to recognize and work to eliminate structural, procedural and cultural barriers to overcoming traditional practices and preconceived notions of how the commercial sector can support national security.”
The strategy was developed and written by the office of outgoing Under Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb.
“We need to integrate commercial tools not just in peacetime but in conflict times,” Plumb said at a Pentagon press conference on April 2.
“Space is essential to the joint force,” he said. “The Department of Defense has a responsibility to leverage all the tools available to it, and that includes commercial solutions.”
Regarding the cultural barriers Austin mentioned, Plumb said the Defense Department needs to “hold itself accountable” for making the necessary changes to its internal processes to ensure commercial solutions have a fair opportunity to become part of national security programs.
The strategy lists four key principles for the use of commercial space systems:
Balance government and commercial solutions to avoid over-reliance on any single provider Ensure interoperability between government and commercial systems without stifling industry innovation Increase resilience by diversifying the commercial supply chain Operate responsibly and in accordance with international space standards
Plumb explained that the Pentagon views civilian providers as companies that develop and supply technology for the broader commercial market, rather than the defense industrial base that builds custom systems for the government.
The document identifies 13 mission areas in the national security arena.
Combat Power Projection Command and Control Cyberspace Operations Electromagnetic Warfare Environmental Surveillance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Missile Warning Nuclear Explosion Detection Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Space Access, Mobility and Logistics (SAML) Satellite Communications Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Spacecraft Operations
The U.S. government will continue to have primary responsibility in areas such as combat power projection, command and control, electromagnetic warfare, nuclear detonation, nuclear detection, positioning, navigation, and timing.
Other areas are considered hybrid missions, in which the commercial sector will play a larger role, including satellite communications, cyberspace operations, spacecraft operations, ISR, SDA, and environmental monitoring.
The only mission identified as primarily commercial is the SAML for activities such as in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing. Commercial solutions may be adopted if they prove to be “technically mature and aligned with the sector’s requirements.”
The report says there are risks in adopting commercial technology not specifically designed for military purposes, but also “risks in not integrating commercial solutions and leveraging innovations from the commercial sector.”
Plumb said the Pentagon would work to establish “conditions of security” to help mitigate risk to private companies in the event of conflict. For example, the Pentagon would share threat intelligence and provide financial protections when needed, he said.
Separately, the U.S. Space Force is set to release its own strategy for using commercial technology and services. Plumb said the Pentagon’s strategy is policy-focused. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about this. [the chief of space operations] “General Saltzman,” he added.
