SpaceCom forms strategic partnership with AFCEA Space Coast

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

SpaceCom | Space Congress announced a long-term strategic agreement with Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Space Coast Chapter to foster enhanced collaboration and drive innovation in national defense and space operations, Jan. 3.

 

This agreement highlights the critical role of collaboration in advancing U.S. space capabilities and addressing emerging challenges in the space domain. AFCEA Space Coast Chapter and SpaceCom aim to streamline contracting procedures and optimize acquisition strategies.

 

“This collaboration strengthens our shared mission to leverage commercial ingenuity, ensuring a brighter future for space exploration and national security,” said Ryan Brown, managing director of SpaceCom.

 

Space Congress, produced by the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies in partnership with NASA-Kennedy Space Center, has been a forum for technical interchange among government and industry for space professionals since 1962.

 

The first joint initiative between SpaceCom and the AFCEA Space Coast Chapter will feature an inaugural, two-part acquisition panel series at SpaceCom | Space Congress 2025. Thousands of space professionals and leading solution providers attend this annual event that delivers a conference program and opportunities for comprehensive exposition.

 

The AFCEA Space Coast Chapter will present a series focused on accelerating the understanding of civilian and defense agencies’ future acquisition needs. The two-part acquisition panel series will be the first of its kind, designed to address key issues around procurement and aid the industry in delivering solutions to support space programs.

 

AFCEA chapters provide a forum for the ethical exchange of information and seek to increase knowledge through the exploration of issues relevant to its members.

 

“The arrangement is expected to create an unparalleled platform that accelerates acquisition processes and the integration of innovative solutions into space programs,” said Tony Brown, founder and president of the AFCEA Space Coast Chapter. “This effort will amplify our collective impact, setting a new standard for collaboration in the space industry and enhancing the United States’ position as a global leader in space exploration and defense.”

 

The panel series will consist of two different sessions. The “U.S. Space Force-led Acquisition Overview of Defense Space Mission Programs”  panel takes place Jan. 29. The second panel, “NASA-led Acquisition Overview of Civilian Space Mission Programs,” is scheduled for Jan. 30. Both panels will feature senior-level acquisition professionals from key agencies, representing NASA Headquarters, Kennedy Space Center, and the U.S. Space Force.

 

A central theme of this series will emphasize understanding civilian and defense agencies’ future acquisition needs, also known as the “long-range acquisition forecast .” This forecast will be critical for helping industry professionals anticipate government demands and better align their solutions to meet those needs.

 

The goal of the panel series is to foster collaboration and dialogue between industry leaders and government agencies, ensuring that the private sector is well-prepared to deliver the right solutions that will continue advancing space programs.

 

After the conference, the partnering organizations will develop a consistent data flow through quarterly updates hosted by the AFCEA Space Coast Chapter and establish a dedicated “Space Grove” collaboration hub in Brevard County.