For decades, the space industry has grappled with the issue of mission aggregation on large satellites, resulting in costly delays and operational risks. Despite calls from senior leaders to reverse this trend, little progress has been made. However, the Space Force has recently announced plans to address this problem with a four-step approach.
The plan involves starting with a clean sheet, competitively awarding fixed-price contracts, ensuring companies have autonomy, and continuously focusing on off-the-shelf capabilities. By following these steps, the Space Force aims to transform its mission acquisition process and improve the effectiveness of its space systems.