Air Force Secretary tasked with expanding access to commercial space data

The Secretary of the Air Force must ensure that the Space Force develops mechanisms to inform current and potential users of commercial space data and services about the Cross-Government Commercial Data Sharing Working Group and how to access government-purchased data, according to a GAO recommendation. The recommendation is listed as open, and the Department of Defense has agreed to the action and plans to increase awareness.

GAO's review of the Joint Commercial Operations Cell (JCO) found that the cell expended $76.8 million on data and services through the Global Data Marketplace from January 27, 2023, through September 30, 2025. Those purchases supported missions such as space domain awareness, tactical surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking. The National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency also bought commercial imagery and analytic products for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

Space Force officials reported challenges that discouraged the purchase and use of commercial data, including licensing costs, perceived use restrictions, and concerns about long-term data access. Those officials were not members of the informal working group that JCO convenes monthly to coordinate commercial data purchases across federal agencies, and information about the group is not widely disseminated.

GAO concluded that broader communication about the working group could enable Space Force officials and other potential users to raise concerns and obtain clarification, thereby improving the use of commercial space data for national-security purposes. The agency's response indicates intent to broaden outreach and clarify access procedures.

The recommendation remains open, and GAO will update the record when the Air Force confirms the steps taken to implement the guidance.