Industry group blasts proposed Space Force budget

National security insights for space professionals. Delivered Tuesdays.

View this email in your browser National security insights for space professionals. Delivered Tuesdays. In this week's edition: • Industry group criticizes Space Force budget proposal • Space policy provisions in draft NDAA • China's spaceplane releases a suspicious object If this newsletter was forwarded to you, sign up for free here Today's highlights: SPACE BUDGET CONCERNS: A new report from the National Security Space Association contends the $29.4 billion budget proposed for the U.S. Space Force in fiscal 2025 is inadequate.  The May 24 paper written by NSSA analysts Mike Tierney and Chris Williams argue that the budget request "is not merely insufficient — it is shortsighted" given escalating threats in space from China and Russia. "The ramifications of underfunding the Space Force are profound," the authors write, warning that any "lapse in U.S. dominance in this domain would have severe implications for national security, economic stability, and technological leadership." The analysts criticize the budget request for failing to provide sufficient investments to leverage commercial space capabilities. It also flags the need to address potential threats like a Russian nuclear-armed anti-satellite weapon that could cripple low-Earth orbit constellations. "Congress and the administration must recognize that the strategic environment in space has fundamentally changed," the paper states. "It is imperative to provide the Space Force with the necessary resources to innovate, adapt, and maintain superiority." NSSA is calling for a reevaluation and funding increase for space programs to deter and counter growing threats. The group is also urging Congress to pass the annual defense policy and spending bills before the start of fiscal 2025 on Oct. 1 to avoid program delays. 2025 DEFENSE POLICY BILL: The House Armed Services Committee last week approved its version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act on a 57-1 vote. The bill is headed to the full House next month.  Among the amendments adopted was a provision addressing the contentious proposal from the Air Force to transfer Air National Guard units into the Space Force without needing approval from state governors.  The amendment from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) would give governors veto power over any proposed transfer of their Guard units to the active-duty Space Force. It strikes language that would have made the transfers mandatory. The move is a blow to the Air Force's plan to build out the Space Force's reserve component using existing Guard units rather than creating a separate Space National Guard. Critics argued the original proposal usurped governors' authority over their state militias. Under Wilson's amendment, the Air Force may transfer units but can't do so without the governor's consent. It also requires DoD to report annually to Congress on impacts to capabilities from any transfers. The provision sets up a potential clash with the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is just beginning its NDAA markup process. OTHER NDAA SPACE PROVISIONS PASSED BY THE HASC: DoD use of commercial satellites: Directs the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration to provide a briefing on efforts to integrate U.S. commercial satellite systems with government architectures to augment and build resiliency.    Commercial space domain awareness: Requires the Chief of Space Operations to provide a briefing to Congress on how the U.S. Space Command's Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell is purchasing space domain awareness data and services, and developing and implementing a hybrid system of government and commercial space domain awareness.    Space Force Satellite Control Network: Directs the Chief of Space Operations to prepare a comprehensive plan for modernizing the Satellite Control Network.    On orbit-servicing and manufacturing: Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to Congress on the importance of fostering a domestic space industrial base for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing technologies.  Commercial synthetic aperture radar: Requires the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office to provide a briefing to Congress on the agency's plan for a sustained procurement program of commercial SAR.    Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT): Requires the Department of Defense to provide a briefing to Congress on efforts to prioritize resilient PNT technologies when fielding satellite constellations and satellite communication services. In other news 🚀 China's experimental reusable spaceplane has released an unknown object into orbit while conducting its third mission. The U.S. Space Force cataloged the object after it was released from the spaceplane launched Dec. 14, 2023, which has been in orbit 164 days. Experts believe the object could be a sub-satellite deployment, or a piece of hardware ejected prior to end of mission and deorbit. Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics is extending by four years its on-orbit life-extension services agreement with Intelsat. SpaceLogistics' Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs) are docked with Intelsat communications satellites. At the end of the current servicing period, MEV-1 will relocate and release the Intelsat 901 satellite into the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit graveyard and provide service for another Intelsat satellite. MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat's current vehicle, Intelsat 10-02, providing life-extension for an additional four years — nearly doubling service from the original contract. The U.S. Space Force's Commercial Satellite Communications Office unveiled projections for contracts to be awarded over the next 12 months. The combined opportunities are potentially worth nearly $1.7 billion.  In a forecast to industry, the office identifies 10 upcoming contract opportunities. The largest potential deal — worth nearly $900 million over seven years — is for secure satellite communications services for U.S. government aircraft that transport the nation's highest-ranking officials and military leaders.  Thanks for reading ! Please send comments, suggestions and tips to serwin@spacenews.com Copyright (C) 2024 Multiverse Media Inc.. All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Fillmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe