Improving Space-Related Science and Technology Processes for the U.S. Space Force

• Published in: Policy File 2024
• Main Authors: Sargent, Matthew, Triezenberg, Bonnie L, Dolan, Brian, Collopy, Arianne, Logue, Jordan, Parker, Edward, Schmid, Jon, Heitzenrater, Chad, Griffin, Graham, Mignano, Jim
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Military strategy; National security; R&D; Research & development; Space exploration; Technology

The United States has a long history of funding foundational research in support of national security interests, and these investments have long served as a source of military competitive advantage. In this report, the authors assess how the U.S. Space Force (USSF), in conjunction with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and the greater U.S. space science and technology (S&T) enterprise, can better manage its space research investments to create more-resilient and more-capable space systems through both revolutionary and evolutionary means. The authors drew from their discussions with subject-matter experts, literature reviews, budget analyses, and an in-depth examination of recent successes in space-related S&T to understand the current environment from which the USSF derives critical space-related S&T — the initial phase of the larger research and development (R&D) process. From that understanding, they developed recommendations regarding courses of action that the DAF could take to better synchronize and energize research, development, and technology sharing within a complex S&T environment. Together, these recommendations outline how the USSF can best position itself to accomplish S&T goals and measure its progress against those goals. This report should be of interest to all those working in the U.S. space S&T fields.