Spacelift Range System (SPACE)

The Spacelift Range System (SPACE) is a significant initiative under the U.S. Space Force, designed to ensure public safety and provide reliable access to space. It operates through the Launch and Test Range System (LTRS), which includes the Eastern Range at Patrick Space Force Base/Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and the Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. These ranges are designated as Department of Defense Major Range and Test Facility Bases, supporting national security space launches, civil and commercial payloads, missile defense evaluations, and various aeronautical tests. The LTRS consists of 12 subsystems that offer essential capabilities such as tracking, telemetry, communications, and flight safety.

A primary objective of the Spacelift Range System is transitioning from traditional range systems to integrated Spaceports of the Future (SOTF). This transformation involves conducting Digital Transformation studies, prototype experimentation, and developmental test activities to meet evolving technological requirements. The program aims to enhance launch capacity and cadence while improving system cyber survivability and resilience. This shift will be supported by engineering analyses for technology insertion, testing Cloud infrastructure, and developing advanced applications within LTRS operations.

The Delta-V initiative within the Spacelift Range System focuses on modernizing software and IT infrastructure for both the Eastern and Western Ranges. This effort includes establishing a software factory to maintain spaceport systems and implementing a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery platform. Delta-V aims to improve software capability delivery rates while ensuring system resiliency in contested space domains. The program also explores Cloud infrastructure concepts to prototype range operations approaches that align with Digital Transformation goals.

Enterprise Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) supports government-controlled baseline requirements for LTRS by synchronizing modernization efforts across multiple subsystems. SE&I develops investment strategies to ensure long-term operational capability of the ranges beyond current fiscal planning periods. Additionally, LTRS Range Technology Integration provides advisory services for configuration management and strategic execution of experimentation and prototyping efforts. These initiatives collectively aim to enhance agility, resiliency, and responsiveness of range operations in alignment with Spaceport of the Future objectives.