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 System Integration
Space System Segments
Space segment includes spacecraft bus and mission payloads
Control segment manages on-orbit spacecraft
User segment uses mission payloads for designated purpose
Launch segment provides launch infrastructure and launch vehicle
Integration Required Across Segments
Ensure spacecraft can withstand launch environment, has correct mechanical/electrical interfaces with launch vehicle, and is placed in proper orbit
Ensure control segment is modified to perform operational control of entire spacecraft constellation (new and old spacecraft)
Ensure user segment is modified to take advantage of new spacecraft capabilities (ideally prior to new spacecraft launch)
Additional challenges arise when different segments are managed by different program offices (communication is key)
In the Capstone exercise, the students are asked to address System Segment Integration. This is referring to the Space, Control, User, and Launch Segments. Don’t get into too much detail, but you should have students who have dealt with various segments and it’s good to bring these experiences out in the Space Variant. Point out that the complete space system success depends on the successful integration of the different segments and those different segments are sometimes managed by different organizations and produced by different contractors. For example, a recent GAO report ( found that ground systems are not always in place to take advantage of satellite capabilities:
“Many major Department of Defense (DOD) space programs GAO reviewed have experienced cost and schedule increases. For example, costs for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite program grew 118 percent and its first satellite was launched more than 3.5 years late. Costs for the Space Based Infrared System grew nearly 300 percent and its scheduled launch was delayed roughly 9 years. Both programs are now in the production phase during which fewer technical problems tend to surface. Satellite ground systems have also been challenged by cost and schedule growth. In fact, ground system delays have been so lengthy that satellites sometimes spend years in orbit before key capabilities can be fully utilized.”

7. 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.

8. Principal DoD Space Advisor (PDSA)
Role of 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 acquisition community in as OSD focal point for space programs
DoD moving toward a more cohesive and unified space governance model
There has been a lot of flux in this area recently with Congressional action, comments from Pentagon leadership and even the President. Much is TBD.
• Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (in photo above) will be taking on the duties of space adviser that previously resided with the secretary of the Air Force, according to a Jan. 17 memorandum sent to Defense Department military and civilian leaders. Shanahan will assume oversight of the military space portfolio that previously resided with the secretary of the Air Force. • This move, and the Air Force’s recent establishment of a three-star vice commander of Air Force Space Command are the first steps to implementing and embracing congressional direction on changes to the space enterprise, pursuant to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. • The National Space Defense Center will be transitioned from an experiment to a functioning command center in support of joint and interagency space capabilities. • Shanahan will also engage a federally funded think tank not affiliated with the Air Force to study the pros and cons of having a separate military department responsible for the national security space activities of the Department of Defense.
PDSA designation driven by growing NSS vulnerabilities and expanding adversary threats

9. 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)
Survivability and orbital debris are problems that continue to get worse. Space is considered a battleground now and there are many players.

10. 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
Students should consider IPAs as part of their acquisition strategy for the Capstone Exercise. They are still be conducted in 2018.

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