Space and Missile Test and Evaluation Center

The Space and Missile Test and Evaluation Center (PE 1203173SF) is a program element within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, supporting the United States Space Force (USSF) under Budget Activity 7: Operational Systems Development. The primary goal of this program is to develop, evaluate, and transition advanced ground and space vehicle technologies to operational use. This enhances the USSF's ability to support Department of Defense (DoD) and other government mission partners. The program is executed by the Acquisition Delta - Innovation and Prototyping, Space Systems Command at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), NM, and includes activities at Schriever Space Force Base (SSFB), CO.

The R&D Space & Missile Operations line item focuses on the development and evaluation of ground systems for prototype, experimental, demonstration, and operational satellites. Key objectives include conducting Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for space vehicles and ground systems, prototyping new antenna systems and networking technologies, and augmenting the Space Force Satellite Control Network (SCN) with Mobile Range Flight (MRF) capabilities. The program also leads the transfer of approved on-orbit missions to operational command organizations, such as Space Operations Command, and supports technology evaluation for missions like Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2) and Space Domain Awareness.

The MMSOC Development subproject is dedicated to evolving the Ground Services Architecture (GSA) through the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center (MMSOC). This involves developing, integrating, and testing common services for space vehicle prototype and operational capabilities, such as shared orbital analysis and mission planning tools, data distribution, cyber defense, and multi-security level operations. The focus is on hardware-based, on-premises solutions to meet specific security, resiliency, and availability requirements, especially where cloud-based alternatives are not feasible. The program partners with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and other agencies to accelerate technology transition from experimental to prototype phases and enhance cyber resiliency.

The Cloud-Enabled Ground System Development subproject aims to evaluate, develop, integrate, test, and operate cloud-based space command and control (C2) capabilities. The goal is to transform the RDT&E Support Complex (RSC) into a modular solution for space prototype missions, enabling secure handling and distribution of mission data at multiple security levels. This effort seeks to improve cost-effectiveness, reliability, and cyber resiliency while supporting technology transitions for upcoming missions. The program coordinates with mission partners and AFRL to ensure efficient technology evaluation and transition, and is moving legacy on-premises systems to hybrid cloud architectures to support future space operations.

The Prototype Baseline Support subproject focuses on expanding the use of automated mission planning tools, data distribution, and cyber defense capabilities. It includes procuring hardware and software to support experiment and prototype operations, such as real-time satellite commanding, telemetry processing, and cyber-defense. The program develops and integrates ground antenna system capabilities, including cloud-based antenna-as-a-service (AaaS), and enhances the energy sustainability and portability of ground system support. It also supports the integration of KAFB antenna assets and the Mobile Range Flight (MRF) to meet USSF mission needs.

Acquisition strategies for the Space and Missile Test and Evaluation Center leverage competitively awarded contracts, such as the Engineering, Development, Integration, and Sustainment (EDIS) contract and the Prototype Operations (POPS)-I contract, to support ground system development and prototype operations. The program also utilizes mission partner contracts, including those with the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), AFRL, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), to achieve cost savings and technological efficiencies. Additional contracts may be pursued as development requirements evolve.