Space Force expands top-secret intelligence sharing with commercial partners to bolster space security

The U.S. Space Force has expanded its Commercial Integration Cell (CIC), a program that allows vetted commercial space industry partners access to top-secret intelligence on threats in space, as noted by Defense Scoop. The CIC, initially a pilot program in 2015, enables qualified vendors to share and receive classified information critical to space domain awareness (SDA) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. With five new partners, CIC’s vendor cohort has grown to 15, aiming to expand to 17 by early 2025. This collaboration allows company representatives to work directly with the Space Force at the Combined Space Operations Center, enhancing information flow between military and industry, especially vital in times of threats, such as Russia's cyberattack on Viasat satellites.

Under a new administration, there may be a shift in defense policy and military spending, impacting CIC’s operational scope and security protocols. A Trump administration’s emphasis on U.S. dominance in space could boost investment and operational freedom for programs like CIC, furthering commercial-military integration for space defense but potentially tightening restrictions on access and classified information.