The Space Systems Command (SSC) has long been a critical player in the U.S. national security landscape. As one of the premier Field Commands within the U.S. Space Force, the SSC is responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding advanced space capabilities that ensure the United States and its allies maintain strategic superiority in an increasingly competitive and contested space domain. The SSC Command Plan 2024 provides a roadmap for addressing the dynamic challenges posed by emerging threats and technological advancements. It sets the foundation for achieving dominance in space by focusing on innovation, workforce development, and an organizational structure built to adapt to rapid geopolitical and technological shifts. This article explores the key elements of the SSC Command Plan 2024, its guiding principles, and its mission to maintain and extend U.S. space superiority in this era of Great Power Competition.
Context of the Great Power Competition
The global geopolitical landscape is rapidly evolving, marked by an intensification of strategic competition between major powers, most notably China and Russia. These nations are aggressively advancing their space capabilities, directly challenging the stability and freedom of the space domain, which has become central to modern warfare, economic infrastructure, and global communications. The SSC recognizes the essential role that space-based capabilities play in both national security and civilian life. Space technologies are the backbone of U.S. military operations, enabling everything from satellite communications to precision navigation and timing systems. In this light, space is no longer merely a domain for exploration but has emerged as a critical theater of operations in its own right.
The challenges posed by adversaries in space extend beyond the potential for conflict. Space is now integral to national economies, communications, intelligence gathering, and the functionality of key infrastructure systems. The rapid development of anti-satellite weapons, cyber-attacks targeting space systems, and electronic warfare capabilities by U.S. competitors underscore the urgency of maintaining a resilient, reliable space architecture. The SSC is therefore focused not only on protecting these space systems but also on advancing their capabilities to outpace adversaries.
Mission and Vision
The SSC’s mission is to develop, acquire, and deliver integrated, resilient, and dominant space capabilities for the U.S. warfighter and its allies. This mission is grounded in the recognition that the nation’s military and civilian infrastructures are heavily dependent on space technologies. By ensuring the robustness of these systems, the SSC plays a vital role in both national defense and the broader global stability. To achieve this, the Command is committed to building an expert workforce, refining acquisition processes, and ensuring that all capabilities are interoperable with existing and future U.S. and allied space architectures.
The Command’s vision is to safeguard the long-term stability of space, ensuring that it remains free for responsible use by all nations. This vision extends to fostering an environment where space remains a domain for both military operations and peaceful, civilian uses. However, the SSC is keenly aware of the rising threats to this vision. As other nations continue to invest heavily in their space capabilities, often with the intent to disrupt or deny U.S. and allied use of space, the SSC must ensure that the systems it fields are resilient, adaptable, and operationally effective.
The Three Guiding Tenets
The SSC Command Plan 2024 is structured around three core guiding tenets that shape the strategic direction of the organization:
Deliver Combat-Credible, Ready, and Resilient Capabilities by 2026:
Given the evolving threat landscape, the SSC is focused on delivering space systems that are combat-ready, operationally resilient, and capable of supporting warfighters in contested environments. By 2026, the Command seeks to have established a space architecture that not only meets current operational needs but is also flexible enough to evolve with future threats. This involves a focus on modular and scalable systems that can be rapidly deployed or upgraded as the operational environment changes.
The resilience of these systems is of paramount importance. Adversaries are increasingly capable of disrupting, degrading, or even destroying space-based assets. As such, the SSC’s approach emphasizes building systems that can recover from such disruptions or continue functioning in degraded conditions. These efforts extend beyond the physical protection of assets to include cybersecurity measures that safeguard against electronic warfare and cyberattacks.
Establish a World-Class Culture to Recruit, Develop, and Retain Exceptional People:
The success of the SSC depends heavily on the quality of its workforce. Building on a legacy of developing top-tier talent, the Command Plan emphasizes the need for a world-class workforce that is not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to the mission. The SSC aims to cultivate a culture of innovation, accountability, and action—qualities essential for maintaining U.S. superiority in space. This workforce will be equipped with the necessary tools, training, and leadership development opportunities to thrive in an increasingly complex environment.
A key element of this tenet is the recruitment and retention of talent. The SSC must attract individuals with the technical skills required to navigate the complexities of space warfare and acquisition. It must also create a culture that fosters long-term career development, ensuring that employees feel both challenged and supported in their roles. To this end, the Command is investing in career development programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership training that will allow its workforce to grow and adapt alongside the evolving needs of the space domain.
Modernize Command Structure to Maximize Effectiveness:
The SSC recognizes that its organizational structure must be agile and adaptable in order to effectively respond to the fast-paced changes in both technology and geopolitics. As part of this modernization effort, the Command Plan calls for a reorganization of SSC’s internal structures, focusing on streamlining decision-making processes and enhancing collaboration across the organization. By clarifying roles, responsibilities, and authorities within the SSC, the Command aims to eliminate inefficiencies that may impede its ability to deliver space capabilities at the speed of relevance.
This modernization effort extends to the way the SSC engages with external stakeholders. The Command is prioritizing transparency and open communication with its partners in government, industry, and international alliances. By fostering a collaborative environment, the SSC can leverage the expertise of its partners to drive innovation and improve the effectiveness of its acquisition processes.
Expanded Lines of Effort (LOEs)
The SSC Command Plan is organized around three primary lines of effort (LOEs), each designed to improve the effectiveness of the SSC workforce and the space capabilities they develop and field. As the strategic environment evolves, these LOEs are intended to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the SSC to adjust its focus as needed.
LOE 1: Align and Prioritize Resources
In a rapidly changing world, ensuring that resources are aligned with the most pressing mission priorities is crucial. The first LOE emphasizes the need for the SSC to modernize its structure in order to better align its resources with its goals. This includes conducting a thorough analysis of personnel resources, mission requirements, and the overall readiness of the Command to meet future challenges. By finalizing its transition from an acquisition center to a fully-fledged command, the SSC will enhance its ability to deliver on its commitments, ensuring that the capabilities it develops are both operationally relevant and field-ready by 2026.
A key element of this LOE is the allocation of resources toward high-priority capabilities that will have the greatest impact on U.S. strategic interests. This requires a careful balancing act—investing in new, cutting-edge technologies while also ensuring that existing systems are maintained and upgraded as needed. The SSC’s ability to efficiently allocate resources will be a determining factor in its success.
LOE 2: Develop a World-Class Workforce
The second LOE focuses on cultivating a workforce that is both highly skilled and deeply motivated to carry out the SSC’s mission. To maintain its competitive edge in space, the SSC recognizes that it must invest heavily in its people. This involves reimagining career development pathways, ensuring that employees have clear trajectories for growth and opportunities to develop new skills. In addition to technical training, the SSC is focused on building leadership capabilities across all levels of the organization, ensuring that its workforce is equipped to handle the challenges of the modern space environment.
This LOE also emphasizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. By fostering a culture that values different perspectives and experiences, the SSC can drive innovation and improve decision-making. The Command is committed to creating an environment where every member of the workforce feels empowered to contribute to the mission.
LOE 3: Deepen Connections with Stakeholders
Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders is essential to the SSC’s mission success. The third LOE emphasizes the need for the SSC to engage more effectively with its partners across the government, industry, and international communities. By fostering transparency and open communication, the SSC aims to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that will enhance its ability to deliver on its mission.
This includes engaging more actively with industry partners to leverage their expertise and drive innovation. The SSC is committed to working closely with the private sector to develop and field new technologies that will strengthen U.S. space capabilities. Additionally, the Command will continue to build on its relationships with international allies, ensuring that the U.S. and its partners can operate together effectively in the increasingly contested space domain.
Implementation and Reporting
The SSC Command Plan emphasizes a proactive approach to tackling the challenges ahead. Each of the LOEs and associated actions will be tracked regularly, with progress reports provided to SSC leadership and external stakeholders. This includes engagements at senior leadership summits, industry conferences, and congressional briefings, ensuring that all key players are kept informed of the Command’s progress.
Success will be measured through a variety of key performance indicators, including the delivery of resilient, combat-credible space capabilities, the development of a world-class workforce, and the strength of relationships with key stakeholders. The SSC is committed to fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and action, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of space dominance.
Summary
The SSC Command Plan 2024 outlines a bold and ambitious strategy for maintaining U.S. dominance in the space domain. By focusing on the delivery of resilient, operationally relevant capabilities, the development of a world-class workforce, and the modernization of its command structure, the SSC is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the Great Power Competition. Through its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and accountability, the SSC will continue to play a critical role in securing the long-term stability and security of the space domain, ensuring that the U.S. and its allies maintain a decisive strategic advantage for years to come.
