R&D Space & Missile Operations
The Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) program, executed by the Acquisition Delta - Innovation and Prototyping, Space Systems Command at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), NM, conducts Space Vehicle and Ground technology transition, prototype development, Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E). RDSMO develops and evaluates ground systems for prototype experimental, demonstration, and operational satellites within the RDT&E Support Complex (RSC) at KAFB, NM and at Schriever Space Force Base (SSFB), CO. Additionally, this program augments the Space Force Satellite Control Network (SCN) with the Mobile Range Flight (MRF) while prototyping new antenna systems and networking technologies worldwide. The RDSMO program develops, acquires, delivers, integrates, tests, operates and continuously develop the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center (MMSOC) satellite command and control (C2) ground systems for existing experimental and new prototype missions. RDSMO develops, acquires, delivers, integrates, tests, and operates new tactical space C2 architectures from ground stations (including government, commercial, and a local Kirtland station) through their networks to the RSC. RDSMO then ensures users receive the highest quality data at the required latency in support of USSF (United States Space Force), Department of War (DoW), and other government mission partners. This program also leads the transfer of approved on-orbit missions to operational command organizations such as Combat Forces Command (CFC). It performs prototype and technology evaluation for multiple USSF missions to include the Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2), Space Domain Awareness, and other mission areas as required. The objective of the RDSMO Program is to innovate, prototype, and evaluate USSF ground systems to support USSF, DoW, and other government mission partners while speeding transition of war-winning capabilities. The program is centered at the RSC in KAFB, but is developing, testing and evaluating architectures with distributed cloud-based operations, integration in existing and future USSF data distribution networks as well as evaluating resiliency and availability to meet future warfighter needs.
FY2027 planned work Continue to evolve a smaller set of on-premises based architectures for full cybersecurity compliance and ensure reliable and resilient development and evaluation to meet "on-premises" requirements. Continue to investigate then develop a separate enclave that provides data separation, encryption and logical segregation, with minimal hardware separation as required by the experiment and prototype space mission needs. Continue to improve the operation of existing and planned prototype missions that will inform new acquisitions and improve USSF's ground systems transition for the most cyber-secure posture possible. Continue to develop cyber resiliency strategies and evaluate effects and trades…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increased due to expanded focus of on-premise architecture resiliency and also expanding RTD&E Support Complex systems and support, including defensive cyber operations and resiliency.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue to evolve a smaller set of on-premises based architectures for full cybersecurity compliance and ensure reliable and resilient development and evaluation to meet "on-premises" requirements. Continue to improve the operation of existing and planned prototype missions that will inform new acquisitions and improve USSF's ground systems transition for the most cyber-secure posture possible. Continue to develop cyber resiliency strategies and evaluate effects and trades between on-premises vs cloud-based architectures. Partner with AFRL and others to speed technology transition of ground system capabilities from experimental to prototype phases. Continue to develop and deliver ground…
FY2027 planned work Continue to develop, field, and evaluate cloud-based space mission operations using commercially available architectures to increase system reliability, data distribution, and decrease system life cycle costs for future missions consistent with the GSA. Continue to assist in developing, fielding, and evaluating Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) R2C2 capabilities, to include critical technology maturation of new mission on-boarding solutions, validation of an integration, test and production environments, enabling of data distribution at multiple security levels, transition to a cloud service provider, and stand-up of shared R2C2 architecture. Continuously develop the prototype…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased due to reduced non-recurring engineering for cloud-native ground system development and transition of missions from legacy hardware-based MMSOC ground systems.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue to develop, field, and evaluate cloud-based space mission operations using commercially available architectures (Nebula) to increase system reliability, data distribution, and decrease system life cycle costs for future missions consistent with the GSA by fully transitioning 2 legacy on-premises MMSOC GSA to hybrid cloud systems. Continue to assist in developing, fielding, and evaluating Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) R2C2 FOC capabilities, to include critical technology maturation of new mission on-boarding solutions, validation of an integration, test and production environments, enabling of data distribution at multiple security levels, transition to a cloud service…
FY2027 planned work Continue to develop automated ground systems and mission planning tools to decrease the requirement for additional manpower to fly the satellites, thereby decreasing the total cost to operate the anticipated 20+ experimental and prototype satellite missions. Use FFRDC, SETA, and/or UARC support to develop and evaluate TTP procedures, support cyber security assessments, and provide subject matter expertise across on- and off-premises systems. Monitor, develop, and mitigate cyber risks. Ensure cyber accreditations to receive approval to operate (ATO) and coordinate cyber-defense capabilities. Develop and integrate ground antenna system capabilities for USSF mission needs. Integrate a…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 funding increased slightly with no significant change in scope.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue to develop automated ground systems and mission planning tools to decrease the requirement for additional manpower to fly the satellites, thereby decreasing the total cost to operate the anticipated 20+ experimental and prototype satellite missions. Use FFRDC, SETA, and/or UARC support to develop and evaluate TTP procedures, support cyber security assessments, and provide subject matter expertise across on- and off-premises systems. Monitor, develop, and mitigate cyber risks. Ensure cyber accreditations to receive approval to operate (ATO) and coordinate cyber-defense capabilities. Develop and integrate ground antenna system capabilities for USSF mission needs. Integrate a…