Space Systems Command

Col. Bryon McClain, USSF program executive officer, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, stressed the need for common interfaces with these comments from Space Industry Days, Los Angeles, Oct. 23rd: We are no longer in the era where we believe that (we have an) integrated system because we have ten people at different positions who have a radio and are talking to each other. Or we integrate with chat over SIPRNet. We are now at a stage where we need these systems to function collectively with humans on the loop instead of humans in the loop. If they don’t integrate, then none of this works together at the speed we need. So how do we get there? The importance of collaboration (with industry) in making this work cannot be understated. We need your feedback…every time we are doing market research, every time we are doing RFIs, every time we are doing a draft RFP. The future of going fast (and) the future of being able to leverage more commercial capability is going to require us to have a common interface, a common way to talk, and I think that is going to fundamentally change how we do business If I think about my cellphone, there was a period where you had to buy the right cell phone for the right network. Now we are to a point where you buy a cell phone, and they can go to multiple networks because there is a common interface. And that’s not a government-led standard. That’s an industry-led standard that says we all know what we need to work together and to be profitable, so let’s make that happen. My request to everyone here is: let’s look for those opportunities. #TogetherWeWillWin

Col. Corey Klopstein, USSF program executive officer, shared these insights about operational test and training infrastructure (OTTI) at Space Industry Days, Los Angeles, Oct. 23rd: As we collectively build out the new space capabilities coming on line in the next few years, we can’t afford to be so limited in our test and training infrastructure that every test, every training event, every exercise is pressure packed to a point that it’s under a high-powered microscope. Our goal at OTTI is to build the immersive arena that allows acquirers to wring out performance issues in advance … (and) in a completely different way than we have before. We want to build an architecture that allows our guardians to fail so we can succeed when it matters most. The power of (this) architecture is to be able to test things in (both) the digital environment and the physical environment. We want to bring live data from the physical environment into the digital environment to verify whether or not we have a digital environment that’s as accurate as it can possibly be; and then (to) understand what the bounds for operational systems are within the digital environment, and bring that back to the live environment, (so) you have a continuous feedback loop benefiting both live and digital test and training efforts. #TogetherWeWillWin

Recently, SSC and USC partnered up to pair USC Trojans with SSC Guardians to work within real USSF programs. This partnership team acted as a “living laboratory” to identify strategies for implementing agile development into complex defense projects. Partnerships such as these not only provide a tactical and strategic edge, but they also help to deepen connections with stakeholders by amplifying the Guardian spirit and culture. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSVXh7A2

Congratulations to the winning teams competing in this year’s Fight Tonight competition sponsored by Space Systems Command. Forty-one proposals were submitted, seven advanced to the finals, and three were selected for funding. Hear from the winning teams and learn more about how SSC is spreading a workforce culture of excellence and innovation. https://lnkd.in/gRMjv2-n

Our Commander is connecting with DC-area stakeholders this week. Today, Lt. Gen. Garrant delivered a keynote at CYBERSAT24, the space security conference that educates satellite, space, cyber, and government on threat vectors in order to thwart next-generation attacks. From there, he’ll be the featured guest at the Defense Writers Group. SSC’s entire leadership team is dedicated to developing stronger connections with commercial satellite professionals who are driving innovation and pushing limits for what’s possible in space.

Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton stopped by Los Angeles Air Force Base for a visit with SSC leadership, gaining insight on the command’s scope of acquisition programs delivering operationally relevant space-based capabilities for the @spaceforcedod. @usairforce | #AirForce #USSF #SpaceForce #Guardians #SpaceStartsHere

Building better connections, #SpaceForce Guardian culture, and a future hybrid workforce were among the topics at SSC’s Perigee Commander’s Conference earlier this week in Los Angeles. More than 120 leaders, many joined by their spouses, took part in sessions designed to build connectivity across the command – and create a desired culture shift that all can emulate. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSBJ6Wdq

Brig. Gen. Kirstin Panzenhagen, USSF program executive officer, spoke about responsive space launch at Space Industry Days, Los Angeles, Oct. 24th and shared these insights: Anything we can do to shorten the amount of time from when we know a satellite needs to go (up) to the time we get it on orbit is goodness for our nation. Not every space-based mission needs to be responsive. Not every one can be. Some of them … are extremely complex and do require those longer integration timelines. But where we can … when we think about the way we design satellites … anytime there's something mission unique that doesn't plug into the standard integration that we've set for these rockets, anytime there's a unique integration requirement-- -- all of those add time and complexity to the process. Sometimes they're necessary. But if they're not … I think we as a community that's involved in national security from an engineering standpoint really need to look at our design choices and make that balance based on what the mission is. #TogetherWeWillWin

Space Force Guardians are built on Character, Connection, Commitment and Courage. Congratulatons to SSC’s United States Space Force Polaris awards nominees. Best of luck competing at the Space Force level! #SemperSupra #USSF5

Mr. Cordell DeLaPena, USSF program executive officer, stressed the need for relentless speed, innovation and advancement of military communications and PNT capabilities at Space Industry Days, Los Angeles, Oct. 24th: The ability to project power anywhere in the world is embedded in our ability to navigate and communicate with speed and precision and that cannot be done without military satcom and military GPS. Our adversaries…will never stop coming after this mission area. Ever. We need to stay ahead and we need to be absolutely relentless about it. That (goes) for the entire team, industry included. #TogetherWeWillWin