Join us for an exclusive webinar that explores the critical intersection of commercial space innovation and defense sector transformation.
The rapid evolution of commercial space technologies is reshaping the boundaries of national security. From advanced satellite constellations to resilient communication systems, venture-backed startups are pioneering innovations that could redefine how the Department of Defense achieves its mission. But navigating the Pentagon’s complex procurement process, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, and addressing security concerns present significant hurdles for non-traditional players.
Discussion Topics:
- The U.S. Space Force’s priorities in leveraging commercial space capabilities to enhance strategic operations.
- Key challenges in integrating innovative technologies into national security frameworks.
- Strategies for startups and VC-backed ventures to break into the defense market.
Moderator
- David Ariosto, SpaceNews Host, Journalist, and author of the upcoming Knopf book “Open Space”
Panelists
- Col. Richard Kniseley, Senior Materiel Leader, Commercial Space Office,, USSF Space Systems Comman
- Maj. Gen. Steven J. Butow, Military Deputy, Defense Innovation Unit
- Arthur Grijalva, Director, SpaceWERX
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Time Markers
00:06 - Welcome and Introduction
02:37 - For Maj. Gen. Butow: Give us a sense of what the threat landscape looks like now and maybe how that has evolved in last 5 to 10, years.
05:53 - For Col. Kniseley: How do you start to employ the industrial base to sort of meet those challenges? And why is it different? Right? Because, you know, if I'm thinking about this, I'm coming at it from a layman perspective. I might have looked like, well, you know, Pentagon's always had defense contractors, and this is sort of a new iteration of that. But it's not really, this is, this is really a sea change. Can you explain that?
11:28 - Follow-up for Col. Kniseley on deterrents.
15:26 - For Arthur: Give some background on SpaceWERX and how you work with commercial entities?
18:37 - For Maj. Gen. Butow: What are those opportunities in this coming year?
21:14 - For Col. Kniseley: Let’s global partnerships and the challenges.
27:16 - For Arthur: What are your priorities for funding?
32:58 - For Col. Kniseley: What gets you excited about what you're seeing in the innovation front from specific companies, or just general trends?
39:25 - For Maj. Gen. Butow: Same question as Col. Kniseley.
42:07 - For Maj. Gen. Butow: What concerns do you have? What are the guard rails for tech like AI?
46:14 - For Arthur: How do companies pitch you? What’s the process?
51:11 - Audience question: With so many propulsion technologies and options available from commercial providers to address resiliency needs of platforms. When will we start seeing requirements for on orbit maneuvers?
51:35 - Arthur answers.
52:41 - Audience question: How do you envision the part time aspect of the Personal Management Act working and particularly, what are the benefits or risks to commercial space firms in making their talent available to the US Space Force. What are the main organizational and individual issues that need to be worked out?
55:30 - Audience question: Given the broad spectrum of threats in the space domain, including cyberattacks, which we haven't really gotten into that much, kinetic anti-satellite weaponry, and also things like space debris, what are your recommendations to effectively mitigate such a broad spectrum?
56:16 - Maj. Gen. Butow answers.
1:00:57 - Audience question: What challenges does the panel see in procuring commercial services from Starling etc.?
1:01:18 - Col. Kniseley answers.
