Space Mobility Conference
30 January 2024
Keynote: Dr. Diane Howard, National Security Council:
-“Space for Earth and Earth for Space”
-Referred to the Commercial Novel Space Activities legislative proposal pushed forward by the National Space Council in mid-Nov. Messaging is right…it’s good ambition, but the mission area (Space Access & Mobility Logistics) won’t develop with just funding plus-ups and industry accelerators. Industry needs a clear demand signal, roadmaps, creative acquisition with public-private partnerships
-We need government to get us off the starting block. Clear strategy, policy, requirements and real & consistent funding.
-To industry stakeholders: we want you to communicate the hurdles; is it truly policies, etc., let us know!
Unclassified Intelligency briefing, CMSgt Ron Lerch
-Among the in-depth briefing, one of the big concerns…GPS jamming (Krashuka jammers, backpack-sized) impacts to our precise launch capability
-Extensive use by China of Espacio Lejano space station in Argentina ,
Keynote: Brig Gen Kristen Panzenhagen, Conference Host and quad-hatted Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Assured Access to Space (AATS); Commander, Space Launch Delta 45; Director of the Eastern Range; and Director of Launch and Range Operations, Space Systems Command
– Panels deliberately assembled – reps from three Combatant Commands, three Space Force Field Commands, multiple acquisition organizations, policy leaders from OSD & NSC, and HQ US Space Force
– We want to innovate not just on technology but also on process
– Reminder on three parts of AATS: Responsible & Reliable Launch; Resilient & Ready Spaceport (includes roads, IT, comms, security, digitization; and SAML, which includes Servicing, Mobility & Logistics as well as Rapid Delivery
Panel #1: On-Orbit Servicing Mobility & Logistics
-Col Erick Stockham…Director, Space Warfighting Acquisition Delta
-Mr. Robert Hague…President, SpaceLogistics (Northrop Grumman)
-Dr. Kelly Hammett…Director, Space Rapid Capabilities Office
-Mr. Chris Ayres…Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Space Operations Command
-Dr. Clare Martin…Executive Vice President, Astroscale US
-Moderator: Col Eddie Ferguson…Chief, Advanced Warfighter Capabilities & Resources, US Space Command
-On getting things on-orbit quickly, Hammett: Working to get some on-orbit logistics tails, so don’t need to launch exquisite immediately, but can bring it on-orbit. By getting something on orbit – allows us (Space Force) to exercise on orbit (Hammett)
-On satellite refueling preferred standards, Hague: SSC is working with industry to develop “preferred standards” in the satellite refueling realm. Northrop’s Passive Refueling Module Interface just identified as the first of these preferred standards
-On common standards generally: a small set of standards promulgated by USG to industry…here’s a family of standards, work within these…; next area in need of standards is power and data ports.
-On Intellectual Property and risk, Stockham: There is tension here. If we go after commercial innovation, complete company propetiary doesn’t work…b/c we don’t yet understand how the trade space will shape out; but we do need to industry to innovate; and also desire a number of companies in the space.
-On RPOD, Hague: add Docking to Rendezvous Proximity Operations
-On demand signal, Martin: A demand signal is not a statement, but a figure in a budget.
-On how Space Force is getting after it, Hammett: In line with previous SPACECOM Commander exhortation to stop buying or building spacecraft that cannot be maneuvered – we’ve started; you can look for some positive changes.
-On SDA, Hammett: we need underlying Space Domain Awareness with the timing and tempo to know where you are (in order for on-orbit maneuver, maneuvering without regret)
Panel #2: Leveraging Commercial Support to Military Operations
-Mr. Lee Rosen…President, ThinkOrbital
-Lt Col Steve Crews…Chief of Operations & Integration, Space Training & Readiness Command
-Col Rich Kniseley…Senior Materiel Leader, Commercial Space Office, Space Systems Command
-Mr. Jon Slaughter…Director, Government Relations, Sierra Space
-Moderator: Col El Gardner…Director of Space Strategy, Policy, and Plans, US Space Force
-On definition of “commercial. Kniseley: capabilities and innovation industry bring to the enterprise and the fight; capabilities we can surge. Rosen: that may be the official answer but offered up that we have no idea any longer on the definition of commercial; the lines are completely blurred for space capabilities, with example: is Starlink commercial or military…Yes.
– On next big thing(s): scale, and tyranny of the payload fairing, where we have to build on the ground and then launch
-On SBIRs and feedback, Rosen: would love to get feedback when we submit a proposal …always click the desire feedback button, but haven’t received any. (Kniseley going to check on Rosen’s specific concern)
-On CASR (Comm’l Augmentation Space Reserve) being there in conflict, Kniseley: dispel the myth on commercial being available when conflict occurs. Commercial is not a hot back-up, we need them on-line now to work through integration.
-On requirements, Kniseley: instead of requirements for systems, look at capabilities. For an overall capability area, see what commercial can cover down on and parse that aside for them, and factor in risk. Fund for the capability.
-On requirements, Rosen: careful of too much rigidity in requirements set, need government there to support the art of the possible.
-On reverse industry days, Kniseley: these are good!, outline a/the problem to industry and meet with them 1v1 & watch them innovate; follow-up with SpaceWerks and begin filling in the valley of death.
-Final thoughts (Rosen): On future – perhaps instead of the High-Valued Asset (big expensive satellite) there emerges a thrust for Big and Cheap…; and another Launch Broad Area Review coming soon, with a big focus on Mission Assurance
-Final thoughts (Kniseley): Commercial Space Strategy coming soon, being looked at in conjunction with OSD-Policy’s document. We want industry to see themselves in the strategy and really get fter the pacing threat. We want your great ideas, ones we haven’t even thought of yet.
Panel #3: Rapid Delivery Panel
-Col Nate Vosters…Director, Requirements, Resources & Programs, US Space Forces Indo-Pacific
-Mr. Justin Fiaschetti…CEO & Co-founder of Inversion
-Mr. Gary Henry…Senior Advisor, SpaceX
-Col Chris Seaman…Chief, Strategy Division, US Transportation Command
-Dr. Greg Spanjers…Chief Scientist, Air Force Research Lab
-Col Gabe Arrington…Chief, Disruptive Technology, Headquarters, US Air Force
-Moderator: Col Eric Felt…Director, Space Architecture, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration
– On Rocket Cargo vision for 10 years from now
-Arrington: My #1 recommendation as a disruptive technology to senior leaders
-Seaman: This is really assured power projection. We do this in air, land & sea and all aligned heavily with industry. All these domains require access, basing & overflight – rocket cargo doesn’t. Yes, near term expensive, but think about the assured access for your most exquisite mission capability delivery.
-Henry: A decade ago, Vertical Take-off/Vertical Lift was viewed as crazy by some, or at least skeptically and now look where we’re at. Same thing with Rocket Cargo. Falcon-9 designed for 10x reuse. Starship designed for 100x reuse. Starship designed for Mars, but heavy implications to National Security Space & specifically point to point rocket cargo. Prolific launch rate…hundreds/thousands of launches per year.
– On remaining technical challenges, Fiaschetti: small, reusable – landing in very austere locations. Computer vision helps, using guided parachutes
– All agreed, most significant challenges to Rapid Delivery are non-technical
– Final thoughts, Seaman: Deterrent effect of power projection doesn’t get enough credibility
– Final thoughts, Vosters: This technology will increase Commanders’ decision space and complicate adversary calculus
– Final thoughts, Henry: Harness innovation at a national level. Do not hand an innovative company a bespoke set of requirements. Instead, work to understand their capability, tightly coupled to the commercial offering and leverage that to one of your hard problems. Find a way to have conversations with these companies. This is an art. Greg Spanjers at AFRL is great at this.
Panel #4: Space Port Resiliency through Global Partnerships
-Col Mark Shoemaker…Commander, Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch & Test Range
-Sub (Jones) for Mr. James Palmer…Space Centre Australia
-Mr. Brian Rogers…Senior Director, Global Launch Services, Rocket Lab
-Ted Mercer, Maj Gen (USAF, ret)…CEO & Executive Director, Virginia Spaceport Authority
-Mr. John Steinmeyer…Executive Director, Assured Access to Space, Space Systems Command
-Moderator: Mr. Mark Bontrager…Technical Director, Launch & Range Operations, Space Systems Command
-On need for more payload processing capability, Mercer: Yes, need more facilities, but also ask, do you still need to do all this legacy processing?
-On Virgina Spaceport, Mercer: in negotiations with three nations, hope to announce at Space Symposium in April
-On spaceports functioning akin to air and sea ports in the future, Shoemaker: let’s jump further ahead keeping in mind the Rocket Cargo panel – missions launching from one space port to a completely different one on other side of the world. This will require international work, safety analysis,
-On gains from AUKUS and similar, Jones: there was a huge level of activity and Australia made great strides; new government has thwarted this, but please, don’t give up on us
Closing comments, Brig Gen Panzenhagen:
-Today should have been both aspirational and actionable
-My ask: start chunking away at it!