The US Space Force Space Systems Command’s Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve program (CASR) has awarded six purchase agreements using the ACCESS Contract.
Building on earlier CASR pilot efforts, these awards establish CASR’s initial Space Domain Awareness surge capability in support of Joint Commercial Operations.
The ACCESS Contract is part of the General Services Administration contract framework that Joint Commercial Operations uses to procure commercial data and data-fusion services from multiple providers for space domain awareness and other mission needs. SSC used the ACCESS Contract to efficiently execute the six CASR awards.
Under CASR, participating commercial providers will furnish agreed-upon SDA capabilities available to support JCO requirements during periods of increased demand. The awards support a more resilient SDA architecture by incorporating commercial capabilities alongside government systems.
“This selection reflects the growing role of commercial space capabilities in supporting resilient and responsive space operations and recognises EOS Space Systems as part of a select group of providers already trusted by operators,” said a public statement from EOS Space Systems.
“As an Australian space company with a long heritage in space surveillance and tracking, EOS Space Systems is proud to contribute its capability and expertise to the United States and its partners.”
CASR is a voluntary program framework for industry partners that hold active Department of War contracts and provide operational support to the warfighter. The government evaluated the selected providers, which agreed to make capabilities available in support of the CASR SDA surge mission.
“CASR represents a first-of-its-kind effort for the Space Force to integrate mature commercial space capabilities into government architectures when mission needs require additional capacity,” said USSF Colonel Timothy Trimailo, director of Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office.
“Building on our pilot efforts, the CASR team completed significant work to understand available commercial capabilities, assess their readiness, and develop pathways for integration.”
CASR’s initial focus on SDA supports the Space Force’s broader effort to incorporate commercial capabilities where they can strengthen mission resilience and responsiveness. Space Domain Awareness is among other mission areas identified for increased commercial integration to meet urgent warfighter needs.
The agreements provide a foundation for SSC to refine a repeatable approach for incorporating commercial capabilities in support of validated government requirements.
“Commercial providers bring diverse technical strengths and business models,” Col Trimailo said.
“That diversity is an asset. CASR gives us the structured way to incorporate it into government architectures and deliver responsive capability when it is needed.”
Together, the SDA agreements mark an important milestone for CASR and demonstrate SSC’s continued focus on delivering resilient, responsive space capabilities through commercial partnerships. SSC will apply lessons from this effort as it evaluates additional commercial-integration opportunities in other mission areas as requirements mature, commercial capabilities are assessed, and appropriate approvals are obtained.
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