Military Payloads Hosted on Commercial Satellites: How Can the Space and Missile Systems Center Increase the Number of Commercially Hosted Military Payload Contract Awards? Spectrum Certifications

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this study examines the case for commercially hosted military payloads (CHMP).

In many instances, what initially appears to be a common-sense solution with synergies to be gleaned by all is often fraught with nuances and complexities which make the implementation of solutions perceived as "common sense" difficult. I have found this to be the case for CHMP. That said, the current strong senior leader advocacy for CHMP coupled with the looming budget crisis might yield a perfect storm where the cultural and policy complexities that impede the implementation of CHMPs could be overcome. However, these complexities will not be overcome without a deliberate effort to ensure CHMPs are considered as an option by the acquisition professionals responsible for answering space-based requirements.

Introduction * Significance * Purpose of the Study * Background * Commercially Hosted Military Payloads Defined * Commercial Satellite Industry Acquisition Culture * Evaluation * Challenge: Commercial Satellite and Military Payload Alignment * Challenge: SMC as a Business Partner * Challenge: SMC Acquisition Culture * Challenge: Requirements Stability * Challenge: Government Program Managers Not Empowered to Make Timely Decisions * Challenge: Spectrum Certifications Tied to Financing * Challenge: The Military Industrial Complex * Summary of Challenges * Methodology * Analysis of Solutions * CHMP Solutions in Work at SMC * Actively Leverage Education with Industry Program * Air Force Instruction for Commercially Hosted Military Payloads * Conclusion