The United States Space Force has approved a new acquisition strategy for its next-generation space surveillance satellites, a plan that will prioritize commercially available spacecraft and components. This new approach for the program, known as RG-XX, aims to replace the current Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) constellation more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Officials confirmed the shift during the annual Air and Space Force Association conference. The move signals a significant change in how the military branch procures critical space domain awareness assets, leaning on the commercial market to accelerate deployment and expand its monitoring capabilities in orbit.
Key Takeaways
- The Space Force will use commercially available spacecraft and payloads for its RG-XX satellite program.
- RG-XX is the designated follow-on program to replace the six existing GSSAP surveillance satellites.
- The service will own and operate the new satellites, despite using commercial hardware.
- A draft request for proposals (RFP) for the industry is expected by the end of the calendar year.
- This strategy is part of a broader military effort to leverage commercial technology for lower costs and faster deployment.
New Acquisition Plan for Space Surveillance
The Space Force is officially moving forward with a plan to build its next fleet of orbital surveillance satellites using commercial technology. The decision affects the RG-XX program, which is tasked with replacing the aging GSSAP satellites that monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, who serves as the acting Air Force assistant secretary for acquisition and integration, confirmed that the acquisition strategy for RG-XX has been formally approved. Speaking at the Air and Space Force Association conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Purdy indicated that a draft solicitation would be released to potential industry partners "soon."
What is GSSAP?
The Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) is a critical U.S. Space Force constellation. Its satellites operate near geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,000 miles above Earth, to track and characterize other satellites and debris. This capability, often described as a "neighborhood watch" in space, is essential for detecting potential threats and ensuring the safety of vital U.S. and allied space assets.
A Space Force spokesperson provided a more specific timeline, stating that Space Systems Command (SSC) is targeting the release of a draft RFP by the end of the current calendar year, though this timeline remains subject to potential changes. This step will formally invite private sector companies to propose solutions based on their existing products.
Embracing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Technology
The core of the new strategy is a departure from traditional, long-duration development cycles that create custom-built military satellites from scratch. Instead, the Space Force intends to integrate existing commercial products to meet its needs for space domain awareness (SDA).
"Our objective is to take advantage of lower overall costs to proliferate SDA capabilities," a Space Force spokesperson explained. This approach means the service can potentially field more satellites for the same budget, creating a more resilient and comprehensive surveillance network.
The plan for RG-XX is to maximize the use of commercially available commodity spacecraft and payloads, focusing on integrating what’s available now over developing new designs.
This initiative follows a review ordered by Maj. Gen. Purdy earlier this year to explore commercial options for the RG-XX program. It is part of a larger trend within the Department of Defense to evaluate whether expensive, legacy systems can be replaced with more agile and cost-effective commercial alternatives. To facilitate this, the service held an industry day on August 5 to engage with potential commercial partners and assess market capabilities.
Contracting and Program Management
While the satellites will be built with commercial parts, the Space Force will maintain full ownership and operational control. This hybrid model allows the service to leverage private sector innovation while ensuring the system meets stringent military requirements for security and performance.
Choosing the Right Acquisition Pathway
The method used to purchase these systems is also under careful consideration. Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, the head of Space Systems Command, noted that while it is still early, the program will likely use a contracting approach known as Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA).
According to Lt. Gen. Garrant, SSC's Combat Power office is working closely with Purdy’s office on determining how to "get more at a better price point." The MTA pathway is specifically designed for rapid prototyping and fielding of capabilities, often within a five-year timeframe. This contrasts with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, which is typically used for simpler purchases of commercial products and services.
- Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA): Optimized for speed, allowing for rapid development of fieldable prototypes to address urgent operational needs.
- FAR Part 12: Streamlines the government's purchase of standard commercial goods and services, treating the government more like a commercial buyer.
The likely selection of MTA suggests the Space Force sees RG-XX not just as a simple purchase, but as a program requiring rapid integration and fielding to quickly enhance its space monitoring posture.
Broader Implications for Military Space Programs
The RG-XX strategy reflects a fundamental shift in military space procurement. For decades, the Pentagon relied on bespoke, highly expensive satellite programs that took years or even decades to develop. This model is increasingly seen as too slow and costly to counter the rapidly evolving threats in space from adversaries like China and Russia.
By turning to the commercial sector, the Space Force aims to achieve several key goals:
- Reduced Costs: Commercial manufacturing leverages economies of scale, significantly lowering the per-unit cost of satellites.
- Increased Speed: Using existing bus designs and payloads dramatically shortens the time from contract award to launch.
- Enhanced Resilience: Lower costs allow the service to deploy a larger number of satellites. A proliferated constellation is harder for an adversary to disable than a small number of high-value targets.
- Technological Agility: The commercial space industry is innovating at a rapid pace. This approach allows the Space Force to refresh its technology more frequently, avoiding technological obsolescence.
"This is about changing the calculus for our adversaries. A disaggregated, proliferated architecture is a more defensible and resilient architecture." - A common sentiment expressed by Space Force leadership regarding new acquisition models.
This move is a strong endorsement of the capabilities developed within the commercial space industry. It demonstrates a growing trust in the private sector to provide reliable and effective solutions for national security missions. As the Space Force continues to build out its capabilities, this hybrid model of government ownership and commercial hardware is likely to become a standard for many future programs.