The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement, unveiled late Dec. 6 by the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, includes several space policy and spending decisions that will have a major impact on both the military space and commercial space sectors.
The NDAA is a yearly bill that sets the budget and policy for the Department of Defense (DoD). This year’s NDAA includes a number of provisions that will benefit the space industry, including increased funding for space-related research and development, and the establishment of a Space Force.
The NDAA includes $15.4 billion for space-related research and development, an increase of $1.4 billion from the previous year. This funding will be used to develop new technologies and capabilities for the military’s space operations, such as satellite communications, navigation, and surveillance.
The NDAA also includes the establishment of a Space Force, a new branch of the military dedicated to space operations. The Space Force will be responsible for developing and deploying space-based capabilities, such as satellites and other space-based assets. The Space Force will also be responsible for training and equipping personnel to operate in space.
The NDAA also includes provisions that will benefit the commercial space sector. The bill includes $1.2 billion for commercial space activities, such as launching satellites and providing services to the government. This funding will help the commercial space industry to develop new technologies and capabilities, such as small satellites and space-based communications.
The NDAA also includes provisions that will benefit the space industry in other ways. For example, the bill includes a provision that will allow the DoD to purchase commercial space services, such as satellite communications, from the private sector. This will help the commercial space industry to expand its customer base and increase its revenue.
Overall, the NDAA conference agreement is a major victory for the space industry. The bill includes a number of provisions that will benefit both the military space and commercial space sectors. The increased funding for space-related research and development, the establishment of a Space Force, and the provision allowing the DoD to purchase commercial space services will all help to ensure that the space industry continues to grow and thrive.
