RE: LeoThread 2024-10-22 09:10

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Space Force refining commercial backup plan for military satellites

The Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve would allow the military to tap into commercial space assets during crises or emergencies

The U.S. Space Force is moving closer to establishing a commercial reserve program aimed at leveraging private sector resources for national security, and continues to fine-tune the details with satellite operators and other space companies.

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The initiative, called the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR), would allow the military to tap into commercial space assets, such as satellites and communication systems, during crises or emergencies.

“We’re still getting feedback from industry,” said Col. Richard Kniseley, who leads the Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office.

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Kniseley’s office is reviewing over 80 submissions from companies after a recent request for information, reflecting growing industry interest but also concerns about the program’s structure. “Companies have asked for a feedback loop to address issues as we finalize the language,” Kniseley told SpaceNews.

The program would function through pre-negotiated contracts with commercial companies, ensuring the U.S. government has priority access to space infrastructure when its own systems are strained. These contracts would help guarantee access to services like satellite communications or monitoring space debris without needing to scramble for support during a critical moment.

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Article

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What is the US Space Force?

History

The concept of a separate space force has been discussed for decades, but it wasn't until the 2010s that the US military began to seriously consider creating a new branch. Here are some key milestones:

• 1960s: The US Air Force (USAF) begins to take on space-related responsibilities, including launching satellites and operating space-based systems.
• 1985: The Senate passes a bill to create a "Space Force" within the USAF, but it is met with opposition from Congress and eventually stalls.
• 2007: The Defense authorization Act creates the "Space Operations Command" (SpOC) within the USAF, which marks a significant step towards establishing a dedicated space force.

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• 2010: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduces a provision to create a new branch of the military, with a focus on space operations.
• 2015: The Air Force releases a report outlining a plan for a new space force, which includes establishing a separate branch, creating a new space-based command, and developing a new organizational structure.
• 2018: The Trump administration begins to implement the plan, including establishing a new Space Force leadership structure and developing a new organizational framework.
• December 20, 2019: President Trump signs the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2020, which officially establishes the US Space Force as a separate branch of the military.

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Organization

The USSF is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado and is led by the Chief of Space Operations (CSO). The CSO is the highest-ranking officer in the USSF and is responsible for overseeing the entire force.

The USSF is divided into several major components, including:

• Space Operations Command (SpOC): This is the primary command for the USSF and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing space operations.
• Space Systems Command (SSC): This command is responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining space-based systems.
• Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM): This command is responsible for training and readiness for USSF personnel.
• Space Force Space Operations Training and Readiness (SFTTR): This is a training organization that provides space operations training to USSF personnel.

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The USSF has several major directorates, including:

• Directorate of Space Operations: This directorate is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing space operations.
• Directorate of Space Systems: This directorate is responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining space-based systems.
• Directorate of Space Training and Readiness: This directorate is responsible for training and readiness for USSF personnel.

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Mission

The USSF's mission is to protect American interests in space and to deter aggression in space. The USSF's responsibilities include:

• Operating and maintaining the US military's space-based assets, including satellites, ground-based systems, and space-based sensors.
• Conducting space operations, including launching and recovering spacecraft, and defending against space-based threats.
• Developing and acquiring space-based capabilities, including satellite systems, space-based sensors, and ground-based systems.
• Conducting space-related research and development to improve military capabilities and advance US interests in space.

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Current Developments

The USSF is currently undergoing significant transformation, with a focus on modernizing its capabilities, expanding its presence in space, and developing new space-based technologies. Some of the current developments include:

• The USSF's first operational satellite, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which was launched in 2018.
• The development of a new space-based surveillance system, the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system.
• The USSF's participation in international space cooperation efforts, including the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
• The development of a new space-based command structure, which will oversee the USSF's operations and decision-making processes.

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Space Force Structure

The USSF has a unique organizational structure, which includes:

• The Chief of Space Operations (CSO): This is the highest-ranking officer in the USSF and is responsible for overseeing the entire force.
• The Space Operations Command (SpOC): This is the primary command for the USSF and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing space operations.
• The Space Systems Command (SSC): This command is responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining space-based systems.
• The Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM): This command is responsible for training and readiness for USSF personnel.

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The USSF also has several major directorates, including:

• Directorate of Space Operations: This directorate is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing space operations.
• Directorate of Space Systems: This directorate is responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining space-based systems.
• Directorate of Space Training and Readiness: This directorate is responsible for training and readiness for USSF personnel.

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Personnel

The USSF is a new branch of the military, and it is still in the process of recruiting and training personnel. The USSF has a unique organizational structure, which includes:

• Officers: The USSF has a number of officer positions, including space operations officers, space systems officers, and space training officers.
• Enlisted personnel: The USSF also has a number of enlisted positions, including space operations technicians, space systems technicians, and space training technicians.
• Civilian personnel: The USSF also has a number of civilian positions, including space operations analysts, space systems engineers, and space training instructors.

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Equipment and Systems

The USSF has a number of equipment and systems, including:

• Satellites: The USSF operates a number of satellites, including the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the Space Test Satellite (STSS), and the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system.
• Spacecraft: The USSF also has a number of spacecraft, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft.
• Ground-based systems: The USSF operates a number of ground-based systems, including the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system and the Space Operations Command (SpOC) system.
• Space-based sensors: The USSF also has a number of space-based sensors, including the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system and the Space Operations Command (SpOC) system.

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Budget and Resources

The USSF has a significant budget and resources, which are allocated by the US Department of Defense. The USSF's budget is currently around $15 billion per year, which is a significant increase from the $1.2 billion per year allocated to the Space Force in 2020.

The USSF also has a number of resources, including:

• Personnel: The USSF has a number of personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian personnel.
• Equipment: The USSF has a number of equipment, including satellites, spacecraft, ground-based systems, and space-based sensors.
• Facilities: The USSF has a number of facilities, including the Space Force Space Operations Training and Readiness (SFTTR) center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.