Space Force will own next-gen neighborhood watch satellites, based on commercial tech

The Space Force intends to buy commercially available spacecraft and payloads for the follow-on to its flagship space domain awareness (SDA) constellation, under a new plan in which the service will own and operate the satellites, according to service officials.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting Air Force assistant secretary for acquisition and integration, confirmed today that the acquisition strategy for the new program to replace the six current Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) birds, dubbed RG-XX, has been approved.

Speaking to Breaking Defense during the annual Air and Space Force Association conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Purdy added that he expects the draft solicitation to industry will be issued “soon.”

Read more at Breaking Defense