The Pentagon has initiated a program aimed at enhancing the relationship between the US Army and the commercial space industry. The program’s goal is to incorporate commercial equipment into military space operations, such as satellites, to improve the cybersecurity of military satellites.
As space becomes increasingly important for global infrastructure, the risk of cyber attacks from hostile states also grows. Both intelligence and military satellites, as well as commercial spacecraft, could potentially be targets of cyber attacks.
The US Department of Defense has launched the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) initiative to bolster national security and enhance the country’s competitive advantage in space. This initiative is crucial as in many cases, the commercial sector outpaces government structures in technological advancements.
While utilizing commercial equipment can provide advanced strategic capabilities for the US military, there are risks involved, such as excessive reliance on a single commercial supplier. The program aims to expand the pool of commercial suppliers for military needs, although this expansion also comes with potential risks such as suppliers facing financial challenges that could disrupt the supply chain of critical components.
One of the key priorities of the CASR strategy is to strengthen cybersecurity, especially as the US is a thriving market for global space industry players. By attracting more international companies to participate in the initiative, the program seeks to enhance resistance to cyber attacks in the space industry, which has not always been a top priority in the past.
The US military emphasizes that embracing military standards will fortify the new relationship between the government and the private sector. While some cases may allow for the adoption of commercial standards, transitioning from strict military standards to commercial ones carries the risk of undermining military assets and leading to unfavorable outcomes.