SPACE ISAC expands member benefits with access to new testbeds network

Written by Copernical Team Friday, 31 January 2025 11:14

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 31, 2025

The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) has announced a major new benefit for its members: access to the Accelerating Space Capabilities 100 (ASC-100), an international network of Testbeds and Proving Grounds. This initiative aims to accelerate the development and integration of innovative space technologies into both commercial and government systems. ASC-100 provid

SPACE ISAC expands member benefits with access to new testbeds network
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 31, 2025

The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) has announced a major new benefit for its members: access to the Accelerating Space Capabilities 100 (ASC-100), an international network of Testbeds and Proving Grounds. This initiative aims to accelerate the development and integration of innovative space technologies into both commercial and government systems.

ASC-100 provides Space ISAC members with streamlined entry to certified testing facilities across the United States and allied nations. These facilities offer both physical and digital environments designed to replicate space operating conditions, enabling agile development, validation, and deployment of advanced space capabilities.

"A global approach is essential to addressing the universal challenge of meeting today's national security demands," said Erin Miller, Executive Director at Space ISAC, speaking from Commercial Space Week in Orlando. "Our initiative is part of a broader effort to accelerate the growing number of space capabilities from concept to prototype to flight-proven systems, ensuring they can be deployed effectively to serve the national interests of the United States and our global partners."

In collaboration with The Aerospace Corporation, a founding member of Space ISAC, ASC-100 will enhance cooperation between U.S. and international stakeholders. The Aerospace Corporation will lead physics and engineering efforts for testing within the initiative.

"It is highly valuable for the evolving space enterprise to have streamlined access to validating Testbeds and Proving Grounds via the Space ISAC's ASC-100 solution. This access helps build confidence and accelerates the deployment of innovative space capabilities to space, where they will contribute to the formation of evolving space ecosystems," said Ron Birk, Principal Director, Space Enterprise Evolution at The Aerospace Corporation.

ASC-100 has already secured engagement from 36 partner organizations across the United States, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. These partners span public, private, and non-profit sectors. An Advisory Council comprising acquirers, integrators, insurers, investors, and regulators will oversee the initiative to ensure a secure governance framework for space technology deployment.

"We are appreciative of the many forward-thinking organizations across the space enterprise-both in the U.S. and international partners-who have helped drive this effort to enable an environment that can sustain evolving on-orbit architectures and responsive space operations," said Lori Gordon, Aerospace Systems Director, Space Enterprise Evolution, and co-chair of the ASC-100 steering committee.

The first operational version of the ASC-100 portal is scheduled for launch in February, featuring 10 Testbeds and Proving Grounds. Space ISAC members and interested organizations are encouraged to participate in a survey to outline their testing and validation requirements, including the identification of critical mission scenarios or environments that current facilities may not fully address.