1. Space System Segments
This presentation provides background on space systems along with tailoring considerations when acquiring Department of Defense space systems. Space systems generally consist of a space segment, which includes the spacecraft bus and mission payloads, a control segment, which manages on-orbit spacecraft, and, a user segment, which uses the mission payloads for whatever the designated purpose is. In addition, the program must leverage space launch capability to place its spacecraft in orbit and space situational awareness products to prevent collisions in space.

2. Uniqueness of Space Segment
Aircraft test, land, fix and refly
Takeoff
Land, fix
Test
Refly
Launch/leave for yrs – perfect first time, every time
Launch
Leave
The challenges of the space segment drive a majority of the tailoring considerations in this presentation. Since spacecraft are typically acquired in small quantities and leverage multiple advanced technologies, the funding profile is usually front-loaded with high investment cost and relatively low Operations and Maintenance cost. In fact, the “rule of thumb” for space programs is 70% of program funding is investment funding in the early part of the program and 30% for the remainder of the program life-cycle. This is exactly opposite of the “rule of thumb” for most Department of Defense acquisition programs, where sustainment costs dominate the life cycle costs. In addition, there are severe limitations to what can be fixed once a spacecraft is launched, so making sure everything is good to go prior to launch is critical. Many other systems, like aircraft, can be tested and return for any fixes before flying again.

3. Uniqueness of Space Segment
“Fly Offs”
Low Rate Initial
Production
Hardware mods
after launch
Space segment systems typically have a high unit cost, with some spacecraft exceeding $1B. Any contractor competition generally will result in a “design off” instead of a “fly off”, due to the large expense of developing and launching prototypes. The very low procurement quantity of most space segments also precludes Low Rate Initial Production or LRIP. Once the spacecraft are on-orbit, only software modifications can be made to optimize the system or correct problems. These factors drive significant upfront systems engineering efforts and focus, as well as extensive mission assurance efforts to address the increased risk.
Increased Risk

4. The Defense Acquisition Management System
Model 1: Hardware Intensive Program
IOC A B C
Materiel
Solution
Analysis
Engineering &
Manufacturing Development
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction.
LRIP
Sustainment
Operations &
Support
FRP
Decision
Materiel Development
Decision
DRFPRD
CDD-V
ICD
Draft
CDD
CDD
CPD
Production & Deployment
FOC
PDR
CDR
Disposal
High Cost First Article (Spacecraft) Model
Rationale—small quantities, front-loaded funding profile, first article operational
IOC A
B/C
Materiel
Solution
Analysis
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction.
Combine Development and Initial Production Commitments
Sustainment
Department of Defense Instruction provides several acquisition models and emphasizes tailoring of program structures, content, and decision points to the product being acquired. There is no one-size fits all process to address the acquisition needs for each segment of a space system. In many cases, the various acquisition models with specific tailoring are necessary. This chart shows specific tailoring considerations for the space segment. Most spacecraft programs will not produce prototypes during Engineering & Manufacturing Development for use solely as test articles because of the very high cost of each article. In this case, the first articles produced will be tested and then fielded as operational assets. These programs may be tailored by measures such as combining the development and initial production investment commitments. When this is the case, a combined Milestone B and C will be conducted.
Follow-On Production Decision
Operations &
Support
Materiel Development
Decision
DRFPRD
Engineering &
Manufacturing Development
CDD-V
ICD
Draft
CDD
CDD
Production & Deployment
FOC
PDR
CDR
Disposal
PDR: Preliminary Design Review
CDR: Critical Design Review
CDD-V: CDD Validation
LRIP: Low Rate Initial Production
FRP: Full Rate Production
DRFPRD: Development Request For Proposals Release Decision
IOC: Initial Operational Capability
FOC: Full Operational Capability

5. Implementation of DoDI 5000.02 for Space Systems Acquisition
DoDI (Operation of the Defense Acquisition System) emphasizes tailoring of program structures, content, and decision points to the product being acquired
Specific language addressing space systems:
Page 28, "(b) High-Cost First Article Combined Milestone B and C Decisions. Some programs, notably spacecraft and ships, will not produce prototypes during EMD for use solely as test articles because of the very high cost of each article. In this case, the first articles produced will be tested and then fielded as operational assets. These programs may be tailored by measures such as combining the development and initial production investment commitments. When this is the case, a combined Milestone B and C will be conducted. Additional decision points with appropriate criteria may also be established for subsequent low rate production commitments that occur prior to OT&E and a Full Rate Production Decision."
The DoDI specific language addressing space systems in on page 28 under the paragraph heading “High-Cost First Article Combined Milestone B and C Decisions”
DoDI (7 Jan 15) is available at

6. Space Systems Acquisition Programs - Potential Acquisition Models
Space System Type
Examples
DoDI Program Model
Space-based systems
Satellites (Payloads and Bus)
Tailored Model 1 (Hardware Intensive) or Model 5 (Hybrid—Hardware Dominant)
Ground-based systems
Satellite command and control (C2), Launch C2, Payload data processing stations, Space surveillance stations
Model 2 (Defense Unique Software Intensive), Model 3 (Incrementally Deployed Software Intensive), or Model 6 (Hybrid—Software Dominant) if software intensive
Satellite launch vehicles
Boosters, Upper-stages
Launch capability can be procured as a service or Tailored Model 1 (Hardware Intensive)
User equipment
Hand-held user terminals, Data reception terminals, User terminals
Standard High Quantity Model
This table highlights potential acquisition models to consider for the difference segments of or programs supporting a space system.

7. Principal DoD Space Advisor (PDSA)
Secretary of Air Force designated as PDSA
Oversee all DoD space matters including policies, strategies, plans, programming, and architecture assessments
Advance National Security Space (NSS) strategies through established processes for planning, programming, budgeting, and execution, space program acquisition, and space policy development
Chairs Defense Space Council (DSC) which addresses DoD unity of effort
Collaborates with and supports USD (AT&L) in his or her role as OSD focal point for space programs
DoD moving toward a more cohesive and unified space governance model
The Principal DoD Space Advisor (PDSA), formerly known as the DoD Executive Agent for Space, oversees all DoD space matters.
PDSA designation driven by growing NSS vulnerabilities and expanding adversary threats

8. Survivability and Orbital Debris
DoDD (Space Policy)
Mitigate adversary’s benefits of space system attack by enhancing resiliency and ensuring forces can operate effectively when space systems degraded
Follow US Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP)
Assists program offices in developing solutions and evaluating mitigation approaches against projected threats
Orbital Debris
Debris is generated from normal operations, unintentional collisions/explosions, and intentional tests/attacks
Debris mitigation must implemented throughout space systems lifecycle (DoDI , Space Support)

9. Independent Program Assessment (IPA)
Independent Program Assessments (IPAs) are:
An independent, comprehensive, and systematic review of major space system managerial and technical progress
Designed to identify program cost, schedule, and performance risks; formulate risk mitigation plans; and provide feedback both to the PM and the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)
An IPA can be conducted before milestones, decision points or whenever directed
IPAs have been conducted since 2000-timeframe and more recently also have other names (Independent Program Review, Acquisition Incident Review) but operate similarly to IPAs

10. Space Acquisition Information
Additional Space Acquisition Information is Available at DAU’s Space Acquisition Gateway (
ACQ-203 Space Variant schedule and registration
Lifecycle Framework Chart
Acquisition Policy Rapid Deployment Training
Community of Practice
ACQuipedia Article