The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) is a direct reporting unit of the U.S. Space Force that specializes in the rapid development, production, and deployment of space capabilities to meet critical, short-term needs. It serves as one of the Space Force's acquisition organizations, delivering first-of-their-kind operational space capabilities to protect space assets and defend against space-enabled attacks. Space RCO works closely with U.S. Space Command and other Space Force field commands to expedite the fielding of space capabilities, often leveraging cutting-edge commercial technology. Key activities include command and control software development, satellite operations, and electronic warfare systems, partnering with organizations like Space Systems Command and small businesses to achieve its mission.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The House Armed Services Committee’s mark folds the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office into the Space Force acquisition structure established under Secretary Hegseth’s 2025 reforms.
The fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act chairman’s mark would dissolve the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office as standalone organizations.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office was renamed from the Operationally Responsive Space Office in 2018.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office is a roughly 200-person office tasked with getting space systems into troops’ hands quickly.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office was established by the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act.
The House FY27 National Defense Authorization Act would eliminate the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office and SpaceWERX awarded three initial $3 million contracts for radar warning receivers for highly maneuverable geosynchronous-Earth-orbit satellites.
The Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) was established in 2018 to buy space technology and deliver it to troops as quickly as possible.
The Space RCO can award previously announced contracts for threat-tracking radars due to funds allocated starting in 2025.
Space RCO lacks a funding line for technical maturation and risk reduction initiatives.
The Space RCO has notified three companies of its intent to award SBIR contracts for threat-awareness sensors.
Space RCO Director Kelly Hammett has led the office since June 2022.
Space RCO has the ability to move money between programs, shift requirements, terminate failing programs, and allocate funds into successful programs to deliver capability fast.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) is preparing a request for proposals around agile space capabilities.
Space RCO released a controlled but unclassified information specification to companies, which was found to have performance parameters that were too demanding.
Space RCO was established seven years ago and is modeled after the Air Force RCO.
Space RCO operates under the major tenets of acquisition reform as outlined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Space RCO has selected three vendors for threat warning radar satellite payloads, but they have not been announced.
Space RCO is refining requirements and separating them into classes to make development efforts more affordable.
Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, called SCAR a revolutionary system addressing the contested and congested space environment.