By: Charlie McGillis
The “State of the Space Industrial Base 2023” report led by Maj Gen (Ret) John Olsen recommended establishing trusted and resilient supply chains to support national space objectives. But, progress in securing the Space Industrial Base is slow and not recognized by many. One space organization that recognizes supply chain integrity is a priority is the Space Development Agency. It was also highlighted in a recent article (SpaceNews, 2024), that cites supply chain challenges and technical risks for their constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit. However, broader efforts within the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to manage the supply chain systematically remain inadequate.
This lack of urgency is concerning, especially for someone who supports space safety and sustainability. Lives and national security depend on supply chain integrity, especially in preventing issues like counterfeit parts and inadequate testing. Space capabilities play a vital role in our daily lives, relying on it for essential functions such as communication, weather monitoring, earth imaging for climate change analysis, and the backbone of critical sectors like government, finance, and global positioning systems (GPS). The intricacies of space are not limited to our daily conveniences; they extend to the protection of our national interests.
The need for a trusted, resilient space supply chain should be a priority. Fortunately, Space Systems Command Assured Access to Space (AATS) recognized this need and took steps toward securing supply chain transparency with the Provenance Chain Network (PCN). PCN's rapid progress, from SBIR Phase I to Phase III, will enable automation of hardware reviews for national security space launches. This automation allows quality engineers to review 100% of the parts, improving efficiency and identifying discrepancies more effectively.
However, more steps are needed. Most supply chain data insights come from “scraping” information that is often not verified. PCN stands out by using verified data, but this requires trust from suppliers—many of whom are hesitant to share proprietary information. PCN has developed the Commercial Trust Protocol™ to protect suppliers' intellectual property while providing necessary evidence.
This protocol is comparable to proving someone is over 21. Typically, showing a driver’s license reveals unnecessary information. PCN’s technology provides only the needed data while safeguarding private details. This concept applies to government contracts as well, where tracking compliance and requirements without exposing sensitive information can reduce risks in weapon systems.
A resilient supply chain requires transparency at every level, from raw materials to the finished product. Critical failures, like the falsified steel test results for submarines or a counterfeit part that cost an F-35 pilot’s life, highlight the risks of insufficient transparency. These incidents occurred with “trusted” suppliers but lacked reliable evidence. Can you imagine a counterfeit part being integrated into a national security or commercial satellite that causes an anomaly or debris causing event?!
The solution is clear: evidence-backed claims. PCN’s platform allows for the collection of various types of evidence—digitized and immutably recorded using GPS, timestamps, or blockchain technology. This ensures selective disclosure without creating a vulnerability to proprietary data.
Remember any supply chain, no matter how simple or complex, cannot be resilient without transparency. Establishing trust through verified data is essential to a proactive strategy for our national security. The U.S. Space Force, and the Department of Defense, must embrace this shift to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Get in touch with us; we’d be happy to help you begin your trust & transparency journey.
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