Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy is spearheading a fundamental shift in how the U.S. military acquires space technology, moving away from slow, traditional procurement toward a model that embraces the speed and innovation of the commercial sector. This reform effort, aimed at maintaining a technological edge over adversaries like China, has earned Purdy recognition as a winner at the 8th annual SpaceNews Icon Awards.
As the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, Purdy is implementing changes designed to make the Pentagon think more like a startup. His strategy involves tapping into private industry and venture capital to accelerate the deployment of advanced satellites and launch capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy is leading a reform of the Space Force's acquisition process to leverage commercial innovation.
- The new National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program creates a dual-lane system to open competition for new launch providers.
- The RG-XX satellite program is shifting from a single large contractor to buying from a pool of commercial vendors.
- Purdy is actively encouraging partnership with the venture capital community to fund new technologies, saving taxpayer money.
A Startup Mentality in the Pentagon
In the high-stakes environment of national security space, speed is a critical advantage. Maj. Gen. Purdy has become a key advocate for transforming the Space Force’s procurement culture from a slow, risk-averse bureaucracy into an agile and forward-thinking organization. His approach centers on leveraging the dynamic commercial space industry to outpace strategic competitors.
This initiative represents a significant departure from decades of established defense contracting practices. Instead of relying solely on large, long-term contracts with established aerospace giants, Purdy is building frameworks that allow for faster integration of cutting-edge technologies from a wider range of companies, including emerging startups.
Redefining Rocket Launches
One of the most visible examples of this new strategy is the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program. Purdy championed a dual-lane acquisition model that fundamentally changes how the military buys launch services. This system divides missions into two distinct categories.
The first lane is for more routine payloads that can be handled by commercially proven rockets, while the second is reserved for the most sensitive and complex national security missions that require higher levels of government oversight. This two-track structure is designed to open the door for new competitors like Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Stoke Space to challenge the long-standing dominance of SpaceX and United Launch Alliance in the national security launch market.
NSSL Phase 3: Opening Competition
The new dual-lane approach in the NSSL program is one of the most significant changes to U.S. military launch procurement in years, aiming to increase competition, drive down costs, and provide more resilient access to space.
Rewriting the Satellite Playbook
Purdy's influence extends beyond launch services to the acquisition of satellites themselves. The next-generation space domain awareness constellation, known as RG-XX, showcases another pillar of his reform efforts. This program is critical for monitoring objects and potential threats in geosynchronous orbit.
Following a comprehensive review led by Purdy, the Space Force abandoned the traditional model of awarding a single, multi-billion-dollar contract to a prime contractor. Instead, it has established a pool of qualified commercial vendors. This allows the service to purchase satellites more directly from active production lines, dramatically reducing timelines and costs.
The Importance of Space Domain Awareness
Space domain awareness involves tracking objects in orbit to detect, identify, and attribute potential threats to U.S. and allied space assets. The RG-XX program is designed to provide a more advanced and resilient capability for monitoring the increasingly congested and contested environment of space.
Building a Logistics Infrastructure in Orbit
A forward-looking requirement within the RG-XX program is the inclusion of on-orbit refueling capabilities. This signals a strategic shift for the Space Force, indicating that it is no longer just buying hardware but investing in a sustainable logistics infrastructure in space. The ability to refuel satellites could significantly extend their operational lives and provide greater maneuverability and flexibility.
Partnering with Venture Capital
A core element of Maj. Gen. Purdy’s vision is a symbiotic relationship between the Pentagon and the venture capital community. He views private investment in space technology not as a separate ecosystem but as a strategic asset for national security.
“Every dollar that the venture capital investment community spends in that area is a dollar I don’t have to spend from the Space Force budget,” Purdy stated recently, highlighting his pragmatic approach to innovation.
He has actively worked to foster better communication between government program managers and private investors. The goal is to encourage venture capitalists to understand the military’s future needs and align their investment portfolios accordingly, creating a pipeline of relevant technologies for the Space Force.
This collaborative approach also involves urging the Space Force to become a better customer for commercial services, such as weather monitoring and space situational awareness. By leveraging these existing commercial capabilities, the military can save taxpayer money, move faster, and stay focused on its unique national security missions. This mindset, recognized by the recent SpaceNews Icon Award, is steadily reshaping the future of America's capabilities in space.