Lawmakers Urge Space Force to Invest Heavily in Commercial Spy Technology
In a significant move, the House of Representatives has directed the Pentagon's Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office to review the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) program. The objective is to identify and make recommendations for its organization, operations, and use of contracts with commercial vendors, as well as to identify potential areas for improvement [1].
The review comes as TacSRT, an unclassified program that allows organizations across the Pentagon to create task orders for recon or surveillance information that can be fulfilled within hours, transitions from a pilot initiative to a formalized "program of record" [2]. This transition was mandated by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) in its fiscal 2026 defense bill, which also requires the Department of the Air Force to establish a Title 10 requirement for TacSRT and fully fund it [2].
Meanwhile, the U.S. Space Force has shown interest in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) technology. A recent Small Business Innovation Research solicitation was released, aiming to develop novel propulsion systems to keep satellites in VLEO for missions like ISR, communications, and space domain awareness [1].
Rep. Jeff Crank has been a strong advocate for VLEO, offering an amendment recognizing its potential for "persistent surveillance, tactical ISR, and responsive sensing in contested environments" [1]. Crank's amendment also directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations and the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, to study VLEO technology, potential uses, costs, and risks, and provide recommendations by March 2026 [1].
While the search results do not explicitly mention VLEO as part of the TacSRT program or direct Congressional actions, the fiscal 2026 defense discussions more broadly include mandates for advanced space launch capabilities and support for new propulsion technologies (like methane-fueled rockets) to ensure assured access to space and enhanced space infrastructure [2]. This environment suggests a strategic Congressional interest in evolving space architectures and orbital regimes, which may implicitly support VLEO exploration.
In terms of funding, the 2026 budget request seemed to squeeze out TacSRT, leaving it up to Congress once again to keep the program going. However, Space Force leaders consider TacSRT a success story and want to expand the program [3]. Crank proposed adding $1 million to the budget for the development of a VLEO Persistent Surveillance System in a separate amendment to the defense appropriations bill, and the HASC added $5 million directed toward "VLEO Spacecraft for Tactical SRT" in the authorization bill [3].
TacSRT has already seen operational use, having been employed during the withdrawal from air bases in Niger and the construction of the Joint-Logistics-Over-the-Shore pier off Gaza in 2024 [3].
In summary, the TacSRT program is becoming a formal program of record with mandatory Air Force funding starting fiscal 2026, reflecting Congressional support to leverage commercial ISR data to augment military space reconnaissance and tracking. High operational demand from combatant commands and partnerships with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Space Systems Command are active. Regarding VLEO exploration, while specific mandates or funded programs by Congress related to VLEO within the Space Force are not identified in the available information, legislative focus on space launch capabilities and new technologies could facilitate VLEO missions indirectly.
- The U.S. Space Force has expressed interest in using Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) technology, which is being studied by the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations and the director of the National Reconnaissance Office.
- The TacSRT program, now a formal program of record, will be fully funded by the Department of the Air Force starting fiscal 2026, as mandated by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), and will leverage commercial ISR data to enhance military space reconnaissance and tracking.
- Space Force leaders aim to expand the TacSRT program, and Congress has shown support through amendments proposing additional funding for a VLEO Persistent Surveillance System and "VLEO Spacecraft for Tactical SRT."
- The broader fiscal 2026 defense discussions indicate a strategic Congressional interest in evolving space architectures and orbital regimes, potentially supporting VLEO exploration indirectly.
