Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy wants commercial providers to infuse cutting-edge space technologies into legacy, big-budget U.S. space systems.
Purdy, the Space Force’s top acquisition official, recently signed an acquisition decision memorandum, or ADM, directing an analysis of commercial options for procuring new space situational awareness capabilities to monitor geosynchronous orbit, according to Breaking Defense. This means Purdy’s command is looking over expensive legacy programs to find out if there are commercial alternatives for performing their missions.
“We basically had our team look for the last couple of weeks at many of our programs, looking for anything that looks like it could use some commercial competition. And so it’s a whole host of them,” said Purdy, who is formally the military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration.
Learn more about these new space business opportunities during Purdy’s keynote address at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31! Find out which other programs will be targeted for commercial competition. Stick around for Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein’s closing keynote. Boost your bottom line. Sign up today!
Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability
Space Systems Command is starting this initiative with a review of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability for commercial options. DARC is a partnership between the U.S., United Kingdom and Australia to track very small objects in geosynchronous orbit to protect critical U.S. and allied satellite services.
Northrop Grumman has been developing DARC for the Department of Defense. The Government Accountability Office in April 2023 said DARC had $1.4 billion in actual and planned funding through 2027.
But Purdy’s not stopping with DARC. Other ADMs are in development on programs including satellite communications and ground systems with some requests for information possibly forthcoming.
What Is GSSAP?
Purdy has been busy implementing his goal for tapping commercial space companies. He signed a new acquisition memorandum in April to replace the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, a.k.a. GSSAP, constellation with commercial options, according to Space News.
GSSAP is a system of custom-developed satellites created solely for military use. GSSAP satellites collect space situational awareness data, allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of human-made orbiting objects. GSSAP satellites perform rendezvous and proximity operations, which allow a space vehicle to maneuver near a space object of interest while maintaining flight safety. Northrop Grumman is also developing GSSAP.
Under this commercial infusion effort, Space Force will have multiple commercial companies build, launch and operate surveillance satellites for the Pentagon. This new initiative will be unclassified and available to U.S. allies via DOD’s foreign military sales program.
SCN Under Review
Purdy is also considering competition for the Satellite Control Network, a global network of ground stations and communications infrastructure that entered operations in 1959. Space Force is fielding new antennas for the SCN because it is concerned that it would not perform as expected during warfare.
The SCN is a network of 19 antennas around the world that communicate with, and control, U.S. government spacecraft, including defense and intelligence satellites. But the SCN is aging and difficult to maintain. The GAO found in 2023 that the SCN was facing sustainment and obsolescence issues while demands on the system were growing.
Dig into other paradigm-shifting space technologies at the 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31! Attend a fascinating discussion on whether technology can outpace emerging threats in the new space race. Find out about industry partnerships at the optical data relay to modernize space communications panel. Make new connections with other GovCon leaders and rekindle existing ones. Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss out!
