In response to the risk of insufficient SATCOM capability to meet National Security objectives, and in context of the challenging budgetary environment, Congress has appropriately placed increased attention on the ways in which DoD plans for and procures commercial SATCOM.  

Further, given the escalating concerns about counter space capabilities and intentions, additional attention has been placed on DoD’s use of satellite assets that are owned and/or operated by countries of concern. According to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Frank Kendall:

“Because of concerns about the survivability of our space assets we’re looking at a wide range number of alternatives to the way we currently do business…  One of the things we have to look at is, can we effectively disaggregate by relying more on commercial systems. We have to be sure they’ll be available in wartime, that we’ll have the capacity we need.”

SES Space & Defense is working closely to ensure that Congress allows timely and affordable access to space for all U.S. Government end users. As part of the effort, SES Space & Defense came together with industry partners to publish a paper titled “The Seven Ways to Make the DoD a Better Buyer of Commercial SATCOM.” These include:

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