SmallSat Alliance

Founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C., the SmallSat Alliance is a trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the U.S. small satellite industry. The organization unites companies involved in the development, production, and operation of small satellites, advocating for increased adoption of these capabilities, particularly within the U.S. Government. Its core function is to provide a unified voice for the industry, promoting the benefits of smallsat technology – including affordability, rapid innovation, and workforce development – to policymakers and government agencies.

A key focus of the SmallSat Alliance is the promotion and implementation of the “Hybrid Space Architecture,” a concept developed in partnership with U.S. Government champions. This architecture integrates traditional “big satellite” infrastructure with newer, commercial smallsat capabilities, aiming to improve resilience, data dissemination, and rapid reconstitution of space assets. The Alliance actively works to encourage adoption of this model across various agencies including the Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and DHS.

The SmallSat Alliance facilitates industry engagement with government through direct advocacy in Congress, networking opportunities with key officials, and events such as the annual Miami Space Summit. They also connect members with potential customers, partners, and suppliers, and provide platforms for knowledge sharing through webinars and conferences.

While not a satellite manufacturer or operator itself, the SmallSat Alliance positions itself as a critical enabler of the burgeoning commercial space economy, working to ensure U.S. leadership in this rapidly evolving sector by bridging the gap between private industry and government stakeholders.