Role of Internal Research and Development (IRAD) in Major Space Systems Development
Written by: Angelica Reyes
Market demand for space products and services continues to grow, from satellite constellations to space exploration, and for commercial, civil space and national security applications. Increasingly, the US government is looking for industry to invest in systems that will benefit their missions to stimulate competition, accelerate innovation and shift certain roles to the private sector. Large companies, from primes to suppliers, play a huge role in contributing to this dynamic ecosystem, investing hundreds of millions of dollars of internal research and development (R&D) towards technologies, product development, supply chain, manufacturing, processes, facilities and human capital. Perspectives of traditional and non-traditional players will share where they are investing and what is driving their investment strategies.