Episode 3: The Space Force's CASR Framework: Bridging Military Requirements and Commercial Capability

The Elara Edge: Expert Insights on Space Security

00:00 – 01:23
Earlier this year, Col. Richard Kniseley of the United States Space Systems Command initiated a program for commercial space companies to be called upon by the United States Space Force in times of crisis. This program, dubbed the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve – or CASR for short – is akin to the United States Air Force’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet program where commercial airlines pledge to provide airlift support to the Department of Defense during an emergency. 

Recently approved by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, the CASR program is expected to secure funding by Fiscal Year 2026 and reflects the growing interconnectedness of military requirements and commercial capability in the national security space mission. Welcome to The Elara Edge: Expert Insights on Space Security. I’m your host – Scott King – and to better understand the purpose of CASR, I am joined by Major General Roger Teague, who retired in 2017 as Director of Space Programs in the United States Air Force. 

Before becoming a founding partner of Elara Nova, General Teague served as the vice president of Space Intelligence and Missile Defense at the Boeing Company, as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the PredaSAR Corporation.

General Teague – thank you for joining me today. So just as we get started – can you share a little bit about what Space Systems Command is trying to do with this CASR program?

01:23 – 02:57
Hi, Scott. It’s great to be with you. First, let me thank you personally for taking the time to talk and help inform our clients about the importance of this topic. The Commercial Space Office of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has brought forward CASR, the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve Initiative, as part of a broader framework to seek commercial capabilities that would augment, enhance and supplement existing capabilities, and most importantly, to add resilience to national security space, constellations and networks.

The initiative kicked off earlier this year, back in February of 2023, when Space Systems Command held a reverse industry day to roll out the CASR concept. And more broadly, CASR is based on the historical Civil Reserve Air Fleet or CRAF construct utilized for decades by the United States Air Force, where during times of crisis, conflict or urgent need, the government could call upon commercial airline partners to carry out appropriate transport or resupply or logistical support missions.

The Space Force is now actively investigating the viability of implementing a similar model for space capabilities under the CASR construct. The government team has developed a draft program and framework for CASR, which includes three levels of support and nine framework elements. 

Now the framework is designed to ensure that the Space Force can leverage the capabilities of the commercial space industry to again enhance the resilience, capacity and effectiveness of the national security space architecture.

02:58 – 03:09
I’d like to build on that idea of the CASR framework being designed off of the U.S. Air Force’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet model. In what ways is the space mission area just inherently different for a program like this?

03:10 – 04:37
Yeah, Scott, it’s a great question and it’s not always well-known that the Civil Reserve Air Fleet model has served our nation very well for many years now. Ensuring, for example, that deployed forces had the required logistical support elements in place and / or that there was support for, in and cross theater troop movements or relief supplies that were provided in response to humanitarian crises.

The CASR model is much different, though, and is significantly more comprehensive. Under CASR, Space Systems Command seeks to provide commercially augmented capabilities across every space mission area. Missions like missile warning, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, communications, navigation, launch all of them are going to be evaluated for enhancement under CASR. Space Systems Command seeks not only to validate what commercial capabilities exist today, but also what capabilities might be available in the very near future.

The next step is going to be to understand how those commercial capabilities could be integrated into our broader U.S. government mission architecture. CASR’s success will require significant analysis to not only evaluate the near-term capability, but also define desired end-states and outcomes, including answering important questions like: How much warfighting reserve capability do I need? When do I need it? How do I contract for it? And ultimately, how much is it going to cost? 

04:38 – 04:52
Now, space is an inherently dangerous and complex warfighting domain – so can you elaborate on what ways the Space Force has already been leveraging commercial space capabilities and how does CASR help them expand commercial space relevance to other mission areas?

04:53 – 07:27
Yeah, it’s a great question and it’s really an important one, Scott. And I think it’s one that SSC Commander General Mike Guetlein and Colonel Rich Kniseley, who’s director of the Commercial Space Office, and frankly, the broader SSC team are sorting through right now. 

For example, the Department of Defense has successfully utilized a partnership with the commercial industry purchasing satellite communication capabilities across multiple vendors for several years now. During this time, the Department has learned a lot about how to best acquire commercial services. What works – what doesn’t. All of those lessons can be successfully applied now, under CASR. 

The Space Force is going to have to evaluate all capabilities of interest on a case-by-case basis, really to fully appreciate each of them on their own merit and then understand how they can be brought to the fight. They’re going to need to answer questions like: How do I integrate them into existing architectures? How do I present those capabilities to war fighting forces? And do I need to modify my current operations? And if so, what are those changes look like?

I’ll give you one other example. Like for the ISR mission, the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. There are several commercial providers today that can bring real additional capability to bear that would augment and supplement existing U.S. national capabilities to support combatant commanders who don’t always have tasking priority or the ability to have their requirements satisfied in a timely manner.

Commercial capabilities could cover down on some of those requirements, and while not always satisfying the full requirement set, they could offer support to 80% or more, which would be more than a significant addition. The idea is to provide persistent coverage and awareness more frequently over a broader area – that ultimately helps augment, supplement and complement national capabilities. 

Commercial launch is another great example. Look how the launch market has changed over the last decade or so as SpaceX has brought its capabilities into the national security space launch market. They’re now executing and delivering critical missions in direct support of national security space today. 

Finally, I would note that the CASR Initiative is complementary to the commercial space strategy now being developed at headquarters U.S. Space Force under the direction of General Saltzman. This strategy paves new ground and sets a vision. It’s an approach and strategy for national security space to be able to leverage and take advantage fully of the commercial space capabilities at large.

07:28 – 07:35
And so what are the advantages for commercial space companies? Are there any benefits in this opportunity for them to join something like the CASR framework?

07:36 – 09:32
Yeah, I think there are several advantages, Scott, for commercial space and commercial capabilities to participate in the CASR model. And I think this is the heart of what SSC is trying to get to. And one of them first is the real ability to be able to contribute to national security space. I think there are a number of companies ready to contribute that may not have had the ability to compete for or be selected as part of a service program of record. 

But nonetheless, they have an important and viable capability that could contribute to our nation’s overall defense posture. And we need to be able to find and understand what those companies are and what their capabilities are. Additional benefits include being a trusted business partner of the United States. Another foundational element I think that should not be understated.

But even more important, I think it’s just the ability for commercial business to be included as part of the broader discussion to understand and have a broader conversation about how we collectively get after some of these pacing threats that are facing the nation. It’s going to take our collective talent, wisdom and energy. Truly, a team effort is going to be required to address the very real challenges that our nation faces.

I also think it’s important to note that it’s not necessarily one company or one service. The defense of our nation has always been built around the success of the joint team and the joint fight and commercial capabilities are going to be an important part of the solution to address those threats.

Space enables every aspect of modern warfare and it’s essential that our warfighters, our partners and friends have a shared understanding of the challenges that we face and be able to contribute wherever possible. 

In the end, this is about giving our U.S. combatant commanders – those four stars responsible for protecting the U.S. and our Allies around the world – the decision advantage they need to conduct their operations with speed and lethality.

09:33 – 09:43
And sir, what is the Space Force looking to leverage from the commercial space industry? Why is it important to involve them and engage with commercial and industry partners this early in the CASS-ER development process?

09:44 – 11:42

Yeah, it’s a great question, Scott. It may be one more appropriate for General Guetlein. In my opinion, I believe that SSC first wants to gain a better understanding of all the commercial capabilities that could currently support each of the space missions.

I believe that this is going to be an eye-opening exercise in a lot of ways. The great news is that as we identify capabilities, these capabilities are going to grow and evolve – over time. And this creates a healthy conversation and dialogue when introducing new ideas regarding the best way to accomplish mission objectives.

In addition to system acquisition knowledge, it helps inform the requirements, planning and programming process, which gives the Space Force the ability to help steer growth as well as desired outcomes through specific targeted investment in specific space mission areas. 

Second, this gives the Space Force the ability to move at commercial pace to deliver at scale and replenish constellations rapidly and that cannot be understated. These timelines are much faster than typical programs of record development schedules, and combatant commanders need their requirements satisfied in a timely manner. 

A typical space program of record historically takes 7 to 10 years to field capability, and CASR gives the Space Force the ability to move at commercial speed and scale and provides the ability to replenish and refresh constellations rapidly, for example, on 3 to 5 year timelines.

All of this enables more and better data in support of decision-making. And again, this is all about getting the U.S. combatant commanders the ability to gain and maintain decision advantage. Commercial augmentation is going to greatly contribute to that objective, and it’s a major building block for tactically responsive space capabilities. We must get after the pacing threat and commercial is to help deliver and replenish capability at comparatively blistering pace and bring new technology to the fight much faster.

11:43 – 11:49
Why now? Are there any real-time examples of how leveraging commercial space capabilities can be applied to the space-based mission?

11:50 – 12:50
Yeah, you could probably make the case that, for example, the Ukrainian crisis is the first conflict that commercial space has made a difference in a conflict. The world is starting to see commercial space in action and the counter strategies of opposing forces to deny, degrade, disrupt or even destroy their services and effects.

I believe that we’re very soon going to start seeing even more commercial capabilities operating alongside their government, purpose-built counterparts in blended or hybrid constellations across – again nearly every space mission area. It’s also not surprising that commercial capabilities are now being targeted by adversaries. Their message is clear that if you’re contributing to a kill chain, your mission is at risk.

Commercial providers are going to need to understand and accept this risk to each of their business plans. But again, I would also re-emphasize the point that at the strategic level, it’s not about the platform. It’s only about whether commanders can make decisions and direct actions at the speed of need. 

12:51 – 13:09
Thank you, sir. And one last question here: As a founding partner of Elara Nova – how does Elara Nova’s team of consultants find themselves uniquely positioned to support the United States Space Force and Space Systems Command in essentially merging military space requirements with commercial space capabilities in something as distinct as the CASR construct?

13:10 – 14:25
Well, as we close, Scott, let me again thank you for taking the time to talk about this important topic. Your question gets to the very heart of why we – and many of our clients – believe that Elara Nova can make a difference. Elara Nova is purpose-built. No other consultancy has the breadth and depth across space like we do, and no one can speak and work across government and industry like we can.

Our team has decades of both government and private sector experience in space strategy, operations, acquisition, engineering, technology and policy. Our diverse and extensive team brings vital insights and powerful national and international connections across the defense, intelligence, civil and commercial space sectors to enable our clients’ success. 

This is a unique time in history, and Elara Nova is well-positioned to serve as an interactive leader supporting the CASR initiative and help shape and refine the conversation to bring commercial space capabilities to the United States Space Force. Help commercial companies understand how to do business for the United States Space Force, and ultimately help field the critical capabilities that the United States Space Force requires.

14:26 – 15:10
If you’re interested in learning more about the CASR framework, and the growing interconnectedness of military requirements and commercial capability in the space domain – visit our Insights page at www.elaranova.com.  

This has been an episode of The Elara Edge: Expert Insights on Space Security. As a global consultancy and professional services firm focused on helping businesses and government agencies maximize the strategic advantages of the space domain, Elara Nova is your source for expertise and guidance in space security.

If you liked what you heard today, please subscribe to our channel and leave us a rating. This episode was edited and produced by Regia Multimedia Services. I’m your host, Scott King, and join us next time at The Elara Edge.

The Space Force CASR Framework: Bridging Military Requirements and Commercial Capability

U.S. Space Systems Command is Leveraging Commercial Strengths to Establish National Security Resilience

The United States Space Systems Command (SSC) is establishing a program for commercial space companies to be called upon by the United States Space Force (USSF) in times of crisis. Akin to the U.S. Air Force’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program, which leverages commercial airlift capability during an emergency, the Space Force is developing its own Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program focusing on how to expand commercial partnerships during peacetime to ensure access to commercial capabilities during crisis or conflict, ensure integration of those capabilities into its mission areas and ensure the capabilities are secure, reliable and available. Recently approved by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, the CASR program is expected to secure funding by FY26 and reflects the growing interconnectedness of military requirements and commercial capability in the national security space mission.

“The government has developed draft objectives for CASR, and it currently includes three end state levels and nine framework elements,” said Maj. Gen. Roger Teague (USAF, Ret.), founding partner of Elara Nova: The Space Consultancy and former chief executive officer and president of PredaSAR Corporation. “The construct intends to ensure the Space Force can leverage the capabilities of the commercial space industry to enhance the resilience, capacity, and effectiveness of the national security space architecture during periods of heightened tension and conflict.”

Developing the CASR Framework

In its current form, the three levels of the CASR framework are Day-to-Day Operations, Priority Operations, and Full CASR Execution. While Day-to-Day Operations reflect the peacetime standard, Priority Operations would be triggered by regional conflict and Full CASR Execution would result from an international crisis or war. SSC is developing each of these levels with nine common-ground elements to ensure the successful integration of commercial space services across the national security space apparatus.

CASR Framework Elements

In a Request for Information issued on July 24, 2023, SSC sought feedback from the commercial space industry on the drafted framework by an August 21 deadline. By incorporating commercial space input from the start, Colonel Richard Kniseley, Senior Materiel Leader of SSC’s Commercial Space Office, is demonstrating the value Space Force recognizes in its industry partners.

“Col. Kniseley and his team are developing CASR openly and transparently to capture the best and brightest ideas from across industry in order to make the program successful,” said Teague, who also served as vice president of space, intelligence, and missile defense at The Boeing Company. “As a part of their next steps, they intend to synthesize industry feedback and validate needed capabilities. I then expect they will bring recommendations forward and brief SSC and USSF leadership to ultimately shape and present CASR capabilities within the budgetary cycle.”

The SATCOM Precedent

While the Air Force’s CRAF model offers a standard for SSC to develop its own CASR framework, space is an inherently dangerous and very complex warfighting domain. But commercial capabilities have already been applied, albeit to varying degrees, across the broad spectrum of space-based mission areas.

“The Department of Defense has utilized commercial wideband satellite communication capabilities for several years. The CASR development process will force close examination across all space mission areas to understand what commercial capabilities can be brought to the fight, how much will be needed, how much they will cost and how quickly they can be integrated into an existing mission area,” said Teague, the former director of space programs for the Air Force. “Every space mission area is being considered for potential CASR application, whether it’s missile warning, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), launch or position, navigation and timing (PNT).”

CASR has great potential to broaden U.S. national security space architectures and further evolve as emerging technologies are brought to market. That’s where a contractual relationship like CASR can facilitate faster capability delivery and more rapid decision-making for commanders.

“Combatant commanders need their requirements satisfied in a timely manner, and commercial capabilities can definitely help,” Teague said. “A typical space program of record historically takes seven to 10 years to field capability. CASR gives the Space Force the ability to move at commercial speed and scale and provides the ability to replenish and refresh constellations rapidly, i.e. on three to five year timelines. All of this enables more and better data in support of decision-making. At the bottom line, this is all about the U.S. Combatant Commanders gaining and maintaining decision advantage. Commercial augmentation will greatly contribute to that objective and is a major building block for Tactically Responsive Space capability.”

Collaboration in Space

The working relationship between commercial and military space continues to grow, as various commercial space companies have been working hand-in-hand with the DoD to rapidly field new capabilities. As an example, Teague points to his experience as president and chief executive officer of PredaSAR, a Terran Orbital Corporation.

“We sought to field the world’s largest commercial SAR constellation. From inception, we worked to present PredaSAR capabilities in a way that would augment, complement, and enhance the existing national security apparatus,” Teague said. “From my perspective as an industry and former uniformed national security space leader, it was important to advocate for fielding commercial capability that addressed the pacing threat as quickly as possible.”

It’s not just the Space Force that will benefit from an initiative like CASR, as commercial space companies of all sizes can find opportunities to grow their business by considering the framework’s requirements.

“The business opportunities from being a government partner and contributing to our national defense is good for commercial business,” Teague said. “Especially for smaller companies, who may not have had an avenue to compete for a program of record that the Space Force or the Air Force may have previously fielded. CASR creates an opportunity for them to contribute an important and viable capability to a mission area on a case-by-case basis. In a time of crisis, that capability could be invaluable.”

The wide-ranging elements that make up the CASR framework represent not only the varying threats to our nation in the space domain, but the challenge of coordinating a capable military response.

“Overcoming the rising threat environment will require teamwork. It’s not necessarily one company or one service that provides a solution to every problem,” Teague said. “The defense of our nation has always been built around the shared success of the joint team and the joint fight. Space enables every aspect of modern warfare. It is essential that our warfighters, partners, and friends have a shared understanding of the challenges we face and be able to contribute wherever possible.”

A Real-Time Requirement

A fully-functioning CASR program is not just a future requirement, as the need for leveraging commercial capabilities for the national security space mission is being realized in real-time. As an example, one needs to look no further than the role of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“The commercial capabilities that have been provided in support of the Ukraine crisis represent the first conflict in which commercial space has made a difference in a conflict,” Teague said. “These are the first instances of commercial providers providing capabilities across several mission sets. We will continue to see growth in commercial space to satisfy any number of different military space requirements, not only in the United States, but around the world.”

Now, by developing the CASR framework, SSC is rounding out other DoD efforts already spurring innovation and fielding capabilities in the national security apparatus.

“The CASR effort is complementary to rapid acquisition program initiatives like SpaceWERX and AFWERX, which has been historically working with organizations like the Defense Innovation Unit to help bring commercial capabilities to the forefront much more rapidly,” Teague said.

As such, CASR is the logical next step in the Space Force’s growth process as the DoD’s newest military service.

“Lieutenant General Mike Guetlein and his team are looking to pave the way for bringing in and adopting more commercial practices and capabilities as a key component of the SSC acquisition vision,” Teague said. “CASR complements and is an integral piece of the U.S. Space Force commercial space strategy now in development under the direction of the Chief of Space Operations, General Chance Saltzman. The strategy unites the overall approach and intent for national security space to leverage, where possible, commercial space capabilities at-large.”

Bridging the Gap

Yet, at times there can be a disconnect in understanding the growing intersection of military space requirements and commercial space capabilities. Consequently, a program like CASR requires a coordinated effort between government and industry partners. That’s where Elara Nova, as a space consultancy firm with a diverse and rich bench of former senior military and industry space consultants with direct experience in the national security space apparatus, can facilitate opportunities to meet the pacing threat.

“The Elara Nova team brings unique insight with both industry and national security space expertise to bridge conversations to help better understand the threats we face and how commercial space can make a difference,” Teague said. “We can help commercial space companies understand how to do business with the United States Space Force, so they can better field the capabilities the Space Force is seeking. Likewise, Elara Nova can help the Space Force better understand what commercial capabilities exist today and how to plan space capabilities and architectures as driven by future requirements.”

Elara Nova is a global consultancy and professional services firm focused on helping businesses and government agencies maximize the strategic advantages of the space domain. Learn more at https://elaranova.com/.