A division of the U.S. Space Force known as the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) has awarded contracts to 20 small businesses as part of the Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2) initiative. The goal of R2C2 is to modernize military satellite operations with next-generation cloud-based ground infrastructure. Enabling ground infrastructure with cloud-based architecture is intended to improve satellite repositioning and command, allowing operators to handle dynamic missions like satellite maneuvering in response to threats. The project is oriented around a “bite-sized” approach to software development to acquire software systems incrementally and replace outdated C2 systems. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quality (IDIQ) contracts are estimated at $1 billion in total and allow the government to order vendor services without committing to fixed quantities. The Space RCO is overseeing the project and seems to be embracing Agile methodology, breaking down large-scale system development into smaller pieces for faster development and integration of new capabilities. The benefit of cloud-based architectures is leveraged in faster deployment and operations such as “relocating satellites, planning rendezvous and proximity operations, and reallocating antennas with more efficiency than is possible with current systems.” The R2C2 team reported successful testing of the new capabilities so far after transmitting commands from a commercial cloud system to an on-orbit U.S. Space Force satellite.

Cloud-based ground infrastructure is a major milestone for U.S. Space Force and space industry capabilities as a whole. Given that government and military bodies can be reluctant to leverage commercially developed technology solutions, it can be argued the R2C2 program gives additionally credibility to cloud architecture. Modern, faster solutions in military satellite operations is an improvement to national security interests as they relate to space. There are clear defensive advantages in the capabilities offered by this technology since so much of the world’s digital infrastructure is reliant on space systems. Being able to rapidly reposition satellites can help protect them from a range of vulnerabilities including both environmental and nation-state threats. The ability to improve the fidelity and security of rendezvous and communications activities offers greater system availability and integrity while conducting intelligence operations and dynamic missions. Additionally, cloud services offer greater scalability and flexibility than traditional, monolithic architectures. However, it is important to consider that the attack surface is increased as well. Cloud systems have an array of potentially exploitable targets, including vendor connections and internet-facing servers. Cloud systems such as AWS have been exploited by internal threat actors in the past, so strong identity and access management is crucial to protect client data. Vendor connections are a common threat vector as well, so securing connections and vetting third parties is also a critical cybersecurity practice for this program. Since R2C2 is leveraging so many contractors, many threat vectors are inherently created. The incremental/Agile development approach also introduces risk such as inconsistent standards and potential defects in releases. Each software deployment will need thorough vetting to ensure integrated updates and new capabilities will not inadvertently expose both the cloud systems and military satellites themselves to vulnerabilities. The infrastructure must also be protected from direct attacks, such as DoS or infiltration, and malware. Strong safeguards like multi-layered encryption, zero-trust security models, and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) will likely be priority controls implemented in the R2C2 program.

Erwin, Sandra. “Space Force Kicks Off $1 Billion Cloud-Based Satellite Operations Program.” SpaceNews, 26 Sept. 2024, https://spacenews.com/space-force-kicks-off-1-billion-cloud-based-satellite-operations-program/.
Erwin, Sandra. “Space Force Agency Taps 20 Companies for $1 Billion Ground Systems IDIQ.” SpaceNews, 9 June 2024, https://spacenews.com/space-force-agency-taps-20-companies-for-1-billion-ground-systems-idiq/.