Bureaucratic tensions hinder Space Force’s use of commercial satellite data

As reported by NextGov, the Space Force is facing delays in full commercial satellite imagery capability because of disagreements with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) over procurement responsibilities. While the NRO oversees buying satellite imagery, Space Force has launched a $40 million pilot program, TacSRT, to deliver data quickly to combat commands.

Commercial space firms praise the program’s efficiency, with some projects moving from bid to execution in 72 hours, unheard of speed in the federal bureaucracy. However, its hurdles and funding limitations remain, slowing progress and preventing full commercial operational capability for military use.