At Spacepower 2025, senior leaders from government and industry gathered for a crucial conversation: How do we deliver space capabilities fast enough to ensure U.S. dominance in orbit—before adversaries disrupt, deny, or degrade our advantage?
The panel, Accelerating Innovation from Prototype to Orbit, tackled this core challenge within the broader strategic context of the conference: how to align acquisition reform, operational training, and industrial base mobilization to prevail in a domain defined by velocity, resilience, and joint integration. As orbital warfare shifts from theory to operating reality, speed-to-field isn’t just a matter of efficiency—it’s a matter of deterrence, dominance, and mission survival.
Moderated by Jason Mallare of Umbra, the panel delivered 30 minutes of hard truths, strategic alignment, and tactical insight. Here are 7 timestamped takeaways that matter.
The Panelists include:
- Max Reele, Director of Delivery, Rise8
- Lt Col JJ Homan, Deputy Chief, Combat Forces Enhancement Division, USSF
- Erik Daehler, SVP, Sierra Space
- Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO)
1. The Race Is Real—and Orbital Superiority Is on the Line
[[00:00] As China and Russia continue to field stealthy, maneuverable satellites, Jason Mallare underscores the urgency: “Our peers...are catching up, and in some cases they're outpacing us.” U.S. spacepower depends on speed to orbit—with outcomes, not optics.
2. Continuous Governance Is the Enabler
[08:20] Max Reele explains how pairing continuous delivery with governance unlocks safe, fast, and accountable production. New NDAA authorities that empower PEOs are central to this shift.
3. Real Risk Reduction Happens with Real Users
[10:49] Lt Col JJ Homan shares how Combat Forces Enhancement Division of the USSF ships to production from day one and embeds feedback loops with operators in the fight. The result: faster iteration, earlier detection of failure, and software that’s truly field-ready.
4. Fast Hardware Means Nothing If Orbit Is Blocked
[15:52] Erik Daehler recounts how a GPS-resilient space capability was delivered in seven months—then stalled in integration limbo. Without alignment between decision makers and fielding timelines, speed becomes theater.
5. Trust, Transparency, and MVPs
[17:59] Dr. Kelly Hammett offers a clear view of what SpRCO values: partners who are candid, transparent, and focused on delivering minimum viable products—not vaporware.
6. Mission Assurance at the Speed of Need
[20:44] Rather than one-size-fits-all compliance, SpRCO applies tailored risk postures to keep delivery aligned with operational tempo. “When you press the red button, it turns on...when you don’t, it doesn’t”—a simple mantra for effective, tested capabilities.
7. The One Thing to Get Right
[26:30] In a closing lightning round, leaders reflect on what matters most—whether it’s shifting funding flexibility, embedding delivery teams, or rewriting the culture of risk.
We are no longer in a peacetime architecture phase. Space is contested. Timelines are compressed. And mission-ready outcomes—not just functional code—will determine who dominates in orbit.
To see how Rise8 helps deliver outcomes for the USSF at the speed of mission, explore our approach.
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