Space Force Prioritizes Payload Development Over New Launch Systems

DALLAS—The U.S. Space Force is shifting its focus from funding new rocket companies to investing in the development of advanced space sensors and payloads, according to Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Purdy Jr., the military deputy for space acquisition in the Department of the Air Force. This strategic move aims to accelerate mission deployment and reduce development timelines.

Focus on Payload Affordability and Scale

Speaking at a space finance conference in Dallas, Maj. Gen. Purdy emphasized the Space Force’s need for “payloads at mass-produced affordability, at scale.” The service believes launch capabilities are becoming increasingly commoditized, with existing infrastructure capable of supporting high-volume production. The bottleneck, he stated, lies in the development and affordability of the payloads themselves.

SpaceWERX and Strategic Funding Increases (STRATFIs)

Since 2020, the Space Force’s commercial innovation program, SpaceWERX, has awarded 23 Strategic Funding Increases (STRATFIs) to commercial space startups. These agreements support the development of innovative sensors, software, satellite components, spacecraft buses, and orbital transfer vehicles. Notably, only one STRATFI agreement was awarded to a launch company—ABL Space Systems—which has since ceased operations in the space launch market. ABL Space Systems filed for bankruptcy in January 2024 after a failed launch attempt.

Accelerating Mission Deployment

Maj. Gen. Purdy highlighted the need to drastically reduce mission deployment timelines. “The point is to obtain missions out the door as fast as possible. Two to three years is too slow. We’ve got to get down to one week,” he stated. This push for speed is driving the focus on more readily available, less “exquisite” payloads, mirroring the rapid deployment strategies of commercial companies like Amazon’s Kuiper and SpaceX’s Starlink.

K2’s Gravitas Satellite

The upcoming launch of K2’s Gravitas satellite exemplifies this trend. The satellite will serve as a testbed for the company’s Hall-effect thruster, solar arrays, and other critical systems, contributing to the advancement of payload technologies.

Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Purdy Jr.’s Background

Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Purdy Jr. Currently serves as the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, Washington, D.C. He previously commanded Space Launch Delta 45, served as program executive officer for assured access to space, and directed the Eastern Range and launch and range operations of Space Systems Command. Purdy holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science from Baylor University, a Master of Arts from George Washington University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.