US Space Force Turns to Commercial Satellites to Meet Military Demands
The United States Space Force (USSF) is pushing for greater use of commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) to meet rising military demands. With traditional military systems stretched thin, leaders are exploring ways to integrate commercial solutions more effectively. The shift comes as new threats and data-heavy defence projects strain existing resources.
Since 2014, defence officials have tested COMSATCOM through pilot programmes, proving its viability for military use. These trials showed that commercial options could support critical operations, but wider adoption faces hurdles. One key challenge is ensuring seamless compatibility and control, including the ability to scale capacity based on active terminals and diverse equipment needs.
The urgency has grown with the development of the Golden Dome multi-layer defence system, which demands more data capacity than current military satellites can provide. Building new military systems from scratch would take too long, leaving the Department of War (DoW) short on time and resources. Instead, the USSF’s Space Systems Command now advocates for a 'buy before build' approach, prioritising commercial solutions where possible.
However, federal budget rules limit COMSATCOM purchases to short-term operational funds, blocking long-term contracts. One proposed workaround is the indefeasible rights of use model, which would require Congressional approval. Meanwhile, the USSF’s Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve framework aims to streamline COMSATCOM access during crises or conflicts, ensuring surge capacity when needed.
The push for COMSATCOM adoption reflects both technological progress and strategic necessity. Commercial satellites now meet many military requirements, but policy and funding constraints slow their integration. Without changes, the DoW may struggle to secure the reliable, scalable communications needed for modern defence operations.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
