SAIC, Harris CEOs Expect Satellite Tech Funding Boost Through Space Force

Chief executive officers at Science Applications International Corp. and Harris expect the U.S. government to increase its budget for space-related programs once the Department of Defense completes establishment of a Space Force, Defense One reported Tuesday.

“I think that you’d see an increase in funding for space,” said SAIC CEO Tony Moraco, a 2019 Wash100 winner.

However, Moraco noted it would be “a little harder to detect through what channel it would go, which acquisition authority will own it.”

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan tasked Michael Griffin, defense undersecretary for research and development, to create a plan to stand a Space Development Agency by March, which would oversee satellite and other space-related acquisition of DoD.Â

Harris executives have observed a growing interest in satellites across the U.S. military and intelligence community, mostly in classified space projects.

“Our classified business in space has been very, very strong,” William Brown, chairman, president and CEO of Harris, said at a recent quarterly earnings call.

Brown added the company received more than $350M in awards for its small satellite business over the past three years and that it also continues to expand its satellites and ground stations.