Space Rapid Capabilities Office

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO), a direct reporting unit of the U.S. Space Force, has a specialized, restricted and unique mission. Space RCO was created in response to the National Defense Strategy calling for improvements to defense acquisition. Space RCO was established via the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with subsequent authorities defined in the FY19 NDAA. 

Mission

The Space RCO mission is to develop and deliver operationally dominant space capabilities at the speed of warfighting relevance.  We expedite delivery and deployment of space capabilities in response to the Commander, US Space Command requirements.

Organization

Space RCO is a small, streamlined organization with dedicated, organic acquisition support functions: contracting, financial management, HR, security, program management and technical engineering support that are critical in enabling the rapid response required for unique missions.

Requirements

Space RCO requirements are driven by critical Combatant Commander and Enterprise space needs required to allow them to fulfill their joint, military operational needs for the national defense.

Key Operating Principles 

Space RCO employs four key operating principles for going faster in space acquisition:
- Short and narrow chain of command
- Early & consistent warfighter involvement
- Small Integrated and empowered program teams
- Embedded functional support:  HR, Contracting, Finance, IT, Security

Locations

Space RCO is headquartered at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM with additional staff located in Washington DC and Colorado Springs, CO.

(Current as of Jan. 2021)