Space Situation Awareness Operations

Mission — Space Situation Awareness Operations source

In FY 2026, Project 673942, Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. In FY 2026, Project 673943, Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet) efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of four U.S. Space Force Enterprise Functions and is defined as the ability to detect, characterize, attribute, predict, and target activities in the space domain to inform decision making. SDA is comprised of the following Enterprise Activities: Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Conjunction Assessment, Collision on Launch Assessment, Breakups, and Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Support. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command and control (C2), communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. Space Situation Awareness Operations (SSAO, 1203940SF) fields, upgrades, operationalizes, operates, and maintains Space Force sensors and information/data integration capabilities within the SDA network while companion program element Space Situational Awareness Systems (1206425SF) develops new network sensors and associated information integration capabilities across the network. Activities funded in this program (1203940SF) focus on surveillance of objects in earth orbit and beyond to aid tasks including satellite tracking; space object identification; tracking and cataloging; satellite attack warning; notification of satellite flyovers to U.S. forces; space treaty monitoring; and technical intelligence gathering. As a whole, this program upgrades, modifies, modernizes, operationalizes, fields, operates, and maintains sensors and information integration capabilities for an integrated, end-to-end SDA architecture that provides critical national security space solutions on tactical operational timelines. The Space Data Fusion (SDF) project (673940) includes the Global Sensor Watch (GSW) program, which develops and/or upgrades Space Domain Awareness (SDA) data collection and exploitation capabilities, including artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), as modernization and improvement efforts to operational SDA capability. GSW prototypes and provides initial operational capabilities enabling an integrated, end-to-end, SDA tip and cue capability that implements a resilient architecture providing overlapping, assured, and viable surveillance options for executing event response; SDA data processing at multiple classification levels; and automated, worldwide, cross-sensor tipping and cueing. The SCU Lighthouse project is a partnership effort with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for targeted sensor upgrades providing dynamic tasking integration and tactical data exposure to MDA systems focused on closure of specific near-earth SDA kill chains. The Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet) project (673943) was declared a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) rapid fielding program of record in FY 2024. It is deploying a modern end-to-end data delivery capability via resilient, distributed mesh network capability for the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) and other associated sensor, Command and Control (C2) and data nodes. SDANet supports existing capabilities through improvements to end-to-end architecture and data delivery efficiency and resiliency to enable modern C2 and Al/ML initiatives. SDANet enables Sensor-to-Sensor, Sensor-to-C2, and Sensor-to-Unified Data Library (UDL) end-to-end data flows revolutionizing the traditional vertical Sensor-to-C2 data flows to incorporate the ability to send and receive data laterally enabling space domain operations. The Joint Commercial Operations (673942) effort supports the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell. The JCO's mission is to provide persistent and rapid SDA coverage to maximize decision making space and reduce reaction time in support of Protect & Defend missions. Commercial SDA executes commercial data buys beyond protect and defend missions and supports existing capabilities through improvements to architecture and system efficiency, cybersecurity, migration to cloud computing, building on artificial intelligence and machine learning (Al/ML) initiatives, and expanding agile software development, delivery, and integration practices. The Unified Data Library project (UDL 673941) supports integration, exploitation, and delivery of data sources for command and control and battle management of space forces. UDL will continue to develop the library by on-boarding new data sets, directly connecting to SDA sensors, expanding data services, expanding defensive cyber operations capabilities, adding non-metric data to the SDA marketplace, continuing to expand local area network capability to share SSN data in a cyber-secure manner, allow optimized data flow for use of existing SDA capability and provide access to new commercial SDA innovations that will enable the broader SDA mission. The SF Weather Services Research project (67A018) funds the operational development necessary to acquire, sustain, and modernize Air Force Weather Service (AFWS) capabilities in support of the 2022 National Defense Strategy. AFWS provides timely, accurate, resilient, and relevant environmental information to enable global battlespace situational awareness for Air Force (AF), Army, Special Operations Forces (SOF), Space Force (USSF), combatant commands, the Intelligence Community (IC), and other government agencies. AFWS provides climate impacts and assessments, as well as space and terrestrial weather sensing, forecasting, and weather analytic capabilities, at home station and deployed, in order to deliver critical environmental intelligence in support of decision makers to gain the asymmetric advantage during the full spectrum of air and space combat operations. The FY 2026 cost of the Middle Tier of Acquisition is reflected in the budget request, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify Future Years Defense Program funding in a future budget submission. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Space Data Fusion source

In FY 2026, Project 673942, Joint Commercial Operations efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. In FY 2026, Project 673943, Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet) efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of four U.S. Space Force Enterprise Functions and is defined as the ability to detect, characterize, attribute, predict, and target activities in the space domain to inform decision making. SDA is comprised of the following Enterprise Activities: Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Conjunction Assessment, Collision on Launch Assessment, Breakups, and Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Support. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command and control (C2), communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. Space Situation Awareness Operations (SSAO, 1203940SF) fields, upgrades, operationalizes, operates, and maintains Space Force sensors and information/data integration capabilities within the SDA network while companion program element Space Situational Awareness Systems (SSAS, 1206425SF) develops new network sensors and associated information integration capabilities across the network. Activities funded in this program (1203940SF) focus on surveillance of objects in earth orbit and beyond to aid tasks including satellite tracking; space object identification; tracking and cataloging; satellite attack warning; notification of satellite flyovers to U.S. forces; space treaty monitoring; and technical intelligence gathering. As a whole, this program upgrades, modifies, modernizes, operationalizes, fields, operates, and maintains sensors and information integration capabilities for an integrated, end-to-end SDA architecture that provides critical national security space solutions on tactical operational timelines. The Space Data Fusion (SDF) effort (673940) includes the Global Sensor Watch (GSW) program, which develops and/or upgrades SDA data collection and exploitation capabilities, including artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), as modernization and improvement efforts to operational SDA capability. GSW prototypes and provides initial operational capabilities enabling an integrated, end-to-end, SDA tip and cue capability that implements a resilient architecture providing overlapping, assured, and viable surveillance options for executing event response; SDA data processing at multiple classification levels; and automated, worldwide, cross-sensor tipping and cueing. The Space Communications Upgrades (SCU) Lighthouse project is a partnership effort with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for targeted sensor upgrades providing dynamic tasking integration and tactical data exposure to MDA systems focused on closure of specific near-earth SDA kill chains. This program may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.

Mission — Unified Data Library (UDL) source

The Unified Data Library project (673941) supports integration, exploitation, and delivery of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) data sources for Command and Control (C2) and battle management of space forces. It focuses on enabling data sharing, establishing the data architecture required to aggregate multi-sensor data for broader use at different classification levels, transforming any-source data into normalized, usable information via data exploitation tools, followed by data hand off to Battle Management Command and Control mission systems to support actual space operations. The UDL will directly connect to dedicated USSF collateral, contributing and non-traditional sensors and systems with modernized interfaces and transport options to broadly expose data. The UDL will be the single source for accessing and managing all data in support of the USSF, providing a central location to find and access data, enabling superior analytics. This program may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.

Mission — Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) source

In FY 2026, Project 673942, Joint Commercial Operations efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. This is not a new start. The Joint Commercial Operations (673942) effort supports the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell. The JCO's mission is to provide persistent and rapid SDA coverage to maximize decision making space and reduce reaction time in support of Protect & Defend missions. Joint Commercial Operations executes commercial data buys beyond protect and defend missions and supports existing capabilities through improvements to architecture and system efficiency, cybersecurity, migration to cloud computing, building on artificial intelligence and machine learning (Al/ML) initiatives, and expanding agile software development, delivery, and integration practices.

Mission — Space Domain Awareness Mesh Network (SDANet) source

In FY 2026, Project 673943, Space Domain Awareness Network efforts were transferred from Project 673940, Space Data Fusion to increase transparency. This is not a new start. The Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet, 673943) effort was declared a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) rapid fielding program of record in FY 2024. It is deploying a modern end-to-end data delivery capability via resilient, distributed mesh network capability for the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) and other associated sensor, C2 and data nodes. SDANet supports existing capabilities through improvements to end-to-end architecture and data delivery efficiency and resiliency to enable modern C2 and Al/ML initiatives. SDANet enables Sensor-to-Sensor, Sensor-to-C2, and Sensor-to-Unified Data Library (UDL) end-to-end data flows revolutionizing the traditional vertical Sensor-to-C2 data flows to incorporate the ability to send and receive data laterally enabling space domain operations.

Mission — SF Weather Services Research source

This budget activity funds the operational development necessary to acquire, sustain, and modernize SF Weather Services Research capabilities in support of three lines of effort: build a more lethal force, strengthen alliances and attract new partners, and change the way we do business. To improve readiness for a more lethal force, SF Weather Services Research provides timely, accurate, resilient, and relevant environmental information to enable global battlespace situational awareness for Air Force (AF), Army, Special Operations Forces (SOF), Space Force (USSF), combatant commands, the Intelligence Community (IC), and other government agencies. SF Weather Services Research provides climate impacts and assessments, as well as space and terrestrial weather sensing, forecasting, and weather analytic capabilities, at home station and deployed, in order to deliver critical environmental intelligence in support of warfighters to gain the asymmetric advantage during the full spectrum of air and space combat operations. SF Weather Services Research decreases the risk to mission and risk to force by increasing the lethality, effectiveness, and survivability of Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems. To strengthen alliances and partnerships, SF Weather Services Research development efforts integrate DoD, government agency, commercial, and international partner environmental data with AFWS information system equipment for processing, storing, exploiting, and disseminating multi-domain weather information for analysis, forecasting, mission integration, and greater interoperability. To ensure greater performance and affordability for the Department of the AF, SF Weather Services Research sensors and information systems are being modernized through improvements to architecture and system efficiency, cybersecurity, joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) and sensing grid integration, migration to cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) initiatives, and expanding agile software development, delivery, and integration practices. The AF Weather Enterprise digital transformation and cloud migration effort modernizes key capabilities providing the military advantage to accurately predict environmental impacts optimizing mission planning, targeting, weaponeering, mission execution, battle damage assessment, and space systems operations.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (8)