Commercial SmallSats and National Security - Opportunities, Industry Dynamics and Critical Next Steps

Explore the critical role of commercial smallsats in US national security through this informative 28-minute video. Gain insights into how smallsat constellations enhance orbital environment awareness, improve intelligence data confidence, aid in deterrence, and support allies. Discover why smallsat architectures are considered key to greater resilience and how the dynamics of the smallsat ecosystem are uniquely American and commercial. Learn about the transformation of the LEO orbital environment due to smallsat deployments and understand the potential risks to smallsat capabilities as companies transition from investment-funded to revenue-driven models. Examine the significant impact of major US broadband constellations like Starlink and Kuiper on the space industrial base, launch rates, and availability of smallsats for national security applications. Explore evidence-driven analysis of commercial smallsat businesses and gain valuable recommendations for preserving important capabilities, including strategies for aligning acquisitions with industrial base objectives, maintaining government insight into key firms' financial stability, and systematically assessing the value of different smallsat capabilities for national security objectives.