Chief executive officers at Science Applications International Corp. and Harris expect the U.S. government to increase its budget for space-related programs once the Department of Defense completes establishment of a Space Force, Defense One reported Tuesday.
“I think that you’d see an increase in funding for space,†said SAIC CEO Tony Moraco, a 2019 Wash100 winner.
However, Moraco noted it would be “a little harder to detect through what channel it would go, which acquisition authority will own it.â€
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan tasked Michael Griffin, defense undersecretary for research and development, to create a plan to stand a Space Development Agency by March, which would oversee satellite and other space-related acquisition of DoD.Â
Harris executives have observed a growing interest in satellites across the U.S. military and intelligence community, mostly in classified space projects.
“Our classified business in space has been very, very strong,â€Â William Brown, chairman, president and CEO of Harris, said at a recent quarterly earnings call.
Brown added the company received more than $350M in awards for its small satellite business over the past three years and that it also continues to expand its satellites and ground stations.