Space Systems Command Renames Office Tasked to Procure Commercial Space Services

The Space Systems Command office responsible for purchasing space-related technologies is being rebranded as part of the U.S. Space Force’s effort to strengthen its partnership with industry.

The Commercial Services Office is being renamed Commercial Space Office to which the SSC will transition the management of various programs and organizations dealing with the commercial space industry, including SpaceWERX, the Space Domain Awareness data marketplace and the SSC Front Door initiative, SpaceNews reported.

During the 38th Space Symposium, Brig. Gen. Jason Cothern, SSC’s deputy commander, said putting the said organizations and programs under a single entity would make it easier for the private sector to find contracting opportunities.

The rebranding effort also includes a change in leadership. When the Commercial Services Office was established in April 2022, SSC named Jeremy Leader, a former U.S. Air Force space officer and procurement executive, as the organization’s director. According to the command, Col. Richard Kniseley, a senior materiel leader at SSC, was selected to lead the reorganized entity moving forward.

Kniseley said the office will support a strategy being developed for commercial space services and military systems integration. Gen. Phillip Garrant, who leads the strategy creation, explained that using commercial capabilities will enhance national security “because it complicates the adversary’s calculus.”