The new Commercial Space Strategy, which has been in the works for some time, provides a structured framework to foster deeper involvement of commercial entities in the Space Force's operations, planning, and development. Gen. Saltzman underscored that the traditional model where the military dictates its requirements to the industry is no longer applicable or effective.
"This strategy acknowledges that old ways of doing business will not produce the results we need," Gen. Saltzman stated during his speech at the Space Symposium on April 10.
He stressed the critical need for adopting new methods to maintain a competitive edge: "The Space Force must harness the benefits of technological innovation and emerging capabilities if we are going to be able to outcompete our competitors-or the Space Force will lose; the joint force will lose, and the U.S. will lose," he warned.
Despite its comprehensive approach, Gen. Saltzman remarked that the strategy is not a cure-all. "The Commercial Space Strategy is not a panacea; it does not provide all the answers. But I do think it frames the discussion that must take place, it sets the conditions for productive collaboration, and it starts the critical processes needed to accelerate the purposeful pursuit of hybrid space architectures," he explained.
The strategy is guided by four overarching mandates from the Department of Defense: balance, interoperability, resilience, and responsible conduct. These mandates aim to improve the integration of commercial solutions into Space Force operations, increasing the variety of providers and diversifying supply chains, and ensuring that expenditures are made wisely while equipping the Space Force with necessary tools and technology to address actions in space by adversaries like China and Russia.
"With China and Russia now challenging our space superiority at levels never before seen in the domain, the frontiers of science and technology-the innovation that can be found in the commercial space sector-will be crucial to our success," Gen. Saltzman emphasized.
These broad requirements will be focused through four specific goals tailored to the Space Force's needs. The first goal, "collaborative transparency," requires all stakeholders to be fully aware of the capabilities and limitations of their partners to effectively address operational challenges. "If industry doesn't understand our challenges, they cannot contribute and if we do not understand what industry can bring to bear, we miss opportunities," Gen. Saltzman elaborated.
The second goal, "operational and technical integration," aims to prevent technological mismatches that have historically hindered product development. "In this line of effort, we will work the details of integrating commercial space solutions into a hybrid space architecture," he said. This will involve developing policies, processes, technical standards, and procedures that enable the commercial sector to seamlessly integrate data and hardware with the Space Force.
The third focus is on "risk management." While the goal is familiar, Gen. Saltzman noted it will carry a greater emphasis moving forward. "The Space Force will work to ensure that all stakeholders understand risks and receive actionable, timely data to aid in risk mitigation. But this must be a collective effort by all partners," he stated.
The final line of effort, "securing our future," continues the theme of proactive engagement with emerging technologies. "Space Force will continue to seek out emerging technologies in the commercial space sector that have the potential to support the joint and combined force today and in the future," Gen. Saltzman remarked.
While seeking advanced technology solutions, Gen. Saltzman also highlighted the importance of timeliness and certainty in addressing actual needs. "The Space Force will prioritize science and technology efforts that are tailored to the operational environment and optimized for fielding capabilities on operationally relevant timelines," he added.
Additionally, there must be clear understanding about the operational missions, threats faced, and technologies available to meet these challenges. "We know we will need substantial support from the space industry to answer these vital questions," he noted.
The strategy also acknowledges the reality of tight budgets and uncertain funding timelines, emphasizing the importance of deriving maximum value from every dollar spent. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall spoke to this point in his keynote address at the Space Symposium, underscoring the urgency of maintaining a technological lead to ensure the security and effectiveness of future operations.
Reflecting on the broader implications of space capabilities, Gen. Saltzman concluded by underscoring their indispensable role not only for military operations but also for the global economy. Without secure and reliable space capabilities, everyday activities such as using cell phones, purchasing essentials, and maintaining utilities would be challenging.
"Our economy, as with that of the rest of the world, is also dependent on unfettered access to the domain," Gen. Saltzman added, highlighting that "space capabilities and the continued access to a safe, stable, and secure space domain is a vital U.S. interest."
Research Report:US Space Force Commercial Space Strategy
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