The U.S. national security space sector faces significant challenges in effectively engaging with commercial companies, leading to a disconnect that hampers innovation. In a recent analysis, Isobel Porteous, head of business development at EarthTraq Corporation, highlighted the inefficiencies within the existing engagement framework that complicate collaboration between government agencies and startups.
Porteous’ experience, spanning from July to December 2025, involved navigating multiple entry points within the U.S. Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Despite attending over 120 meetings and securing endorsement letters from various defense and intelligence offices, a troubling pattern emerged: while there was recognition of the potential value of emerging technologies, there was often a lack of accessible funding to support them. She noted that while U.S. agencies were deliberating, competitors like China were rapidly advancing their own space capabilities.
Current Engagement Framework Lacks Efficiency
The existing framework for engaging with the national security space community is characterized by fragmentation. Each agency operates its own commercial engagement offices, such as the Space Force’s Space Systems Command and the National Reconnaissance Office’s Acquisition Research Center. This leads to redundancy and inefficiency, where companies must repeat their pitches across multiple offices without a clear understanding of capability gaps or funding avenues.
Porteous emphasized that the various front doors are not designed to facilitate meaningful engagement. For example, a company briefing one agency may not be aware of overlapping requirements in a different office. This lack of coordination not only wastes time and resources but also creates blind spots for officials who could benefit from understanding the full scope of available commercial solutions.
Need for Unified Engagement and Funding Mechanisms
The challenges extend beyond initial engagement to the backend processes that govern funding. Even when innovative capabilities are identified, program managers often find that their budgets are fully committed to existing projects, leaving little room for new investments. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy highlighted the need for “funding flexibility” in acquisition reform discussions.
Recent policy initiatives, including the January 9, 2026 memorandum from the Department of Defense, aim to address these issues by advocating for a unified front door for industry engagement. The memo proposes two streamlined channels: one for problem-driven engagement focused on operational challenges, and another for product-driven engagement to help program offices adopt commercial solutions.
Beginning in 2028, the introduction of an Innovation Insertion Increment is intended to provide program acquisition executives with a flexible funding allocation for rapid capability insertion. This could facilitate quicker adoption of promising technologies and address the current funding gaps that inhibit innovation.
Porteous advocates for a consolidated national security space front door that would replace the fragmented system with a single, accessible platform. This proposed front door would allow companies to submit solutions to identified capability gaps or pitch existing products, streamlining the process and enabling faster connections to critical funding opportunities.
The vision includes continuous submission opportunities, competitive prize cycles, and transparent pathways from prize to contract, significantly reducing the time companies spend navigating bureaucratic hurdles. By fostering an environment conducive to collaboration and rapid innovation, the unified front door could ultimately bolster U.S. competitiveness in the global space arena.
As the national security space community grapples with the need for systemic reform, the call for a collaborative approach resonates louder than ever. The policy landscape is shifting, and with it, the imperative for action. The unified national security space front door represents a crucial step toward enhancing the agility and effectiveness of U.S. defense capabilities in an increasingly competitive environment.
Porteous concludes that the time for reform is now. The tools for change are available, but the success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on the willingness of leaders to prioritize genuine engagement and streamline processes that have, for too long, stifled innovation.
