Lawmakers Advocate for Space Force to Allocate Funds Toward Modern Commercial Spying Technologies
The Space Force's Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) program, initially a pilot effort, is poised for a significant transformation. Leveraging commercial data analytics, the program delivers rapid tactical space intelligence to combatant commands (COCOMs), demonstrating strong demand from these entities [1].
Despite the Department of the Air Force not budgeting for TacSRT in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Congress has provided funding of $40 million each year. This funding is set to continue, with lawmakers pushing for TacSRT to become a fully funded "program of record" in fiscal year 2026 [2].
This legislative push mandates the Department of the Air Force to officially budget and fund the program, rather than relying on pilot status or COCOM individual funding efforts. The proposed legislation also requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to establish a formal Title 10 requirement for this capability [2].
In addition to securing dedicated funding, Congress is advocating for the Space Force to expand TacSRT capabilities by exploring tactical surveillance operations in the emerging domain of Very Low-Earth Orbit (VLEO) [1]. The aim is to leverage the advantages of VLEO—such as closer proximity to Earth for better resolution and faster revisit times—to enhance commercial and government space tracking and reconnaissance [1].
The Space Force is collaborating with entities like the Defense Innovation Unit to develop hybrid multi-orbit architectures combining commercial and government systems to meet this need [2]. In support of this effort, the Space Force has released a Small Business Innovation Research solicitation for novel propulsion systems to keep satellites in VLEO, aiming for sustained operations for missions like ISR, communications, and space domain awareness [1].
Recently, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the Space Force signed a memorandum of agreement in May 2025 to formalize their partnership in support of TacSRT, indicating growing institutional collaboration [3]. This partnership is expected to further strengthen as TacSRT transitions towards a permanent, budgeted program with enhanced capabilities in very low-Earth orbit.
References:
- https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/04/congress-pushes-space-force-expand-tac-srt-capabilities-very-low-earth-orbit/194029/
- https://www.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article/3073753/space-force-tac-srt-program-advances-toward-permanent-funding/
- https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2023/04/congress-wants-space-force-expand-tac-srt-capabilities-very-low-earth-orbit/204952/
- The provision of $40 million in annual funding by Congress for the Space Force's TacSRT program is a significant step towards making the program a fully funded "program of record" in fiscal year 2026.
- In line with the proposed legislation, the Space Force is expected to officially budget and fund the TacSRT program, diversifying from its current pilot status.
- Leveraging the Defense Innovation Unit, the Space Force aims to develop hybrid multi-orbit architectures for government and commercial systems in Very Low-Earth Orbit (VLEO) to enhance TacSRT capabilities.
- The collaboration between the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the Space Force is a crucial element in the Space Force's efforts to strengthen and expand the TacSRT program, focusing on its future operations in the VLEO domain.
