Concerns are mounting within the commercial satellite imagery industry regarding proposed U.S. government budget cuts. A Maxar Intelligence executive, Susanne Hake, recently warned that these reductions risk undermining battlefield operations. Speaking at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce aerospace industry conference, Hake highlighted the proven value of commercial imagery and the increased demand from U.S. combatant commands, including Indo-Pacific Command.
The Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal includes a significant reduction—approximately $130 million—in funding for the National Reconnaissance Office’s procurement of commercial electro-optical imagery under the Electro-Optical Commercial Layer program. Furthermore, it proposes eliminating funding for synthetic aperture radar imagery, a crucial capability utilized since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Hake emphasized the superior speed and cost-effectiveness of commercial firms compared to government-developed satellite systems. However, she stressed the need for predictable funding and contracts to sustain investment. "We commercial companies have shown that we can deliver at scale, but in order to do that, we do need long-term contracts and consistent funding in order for us to be able to build our technology,” she stated. This sentiment echoes a June letter to lawmakers from CEOs of leading companies including Maxar, Planet, BlackSky, Iceye US, Capella Space, and KSAT, warning against reversing years of progress in integrating commercial services into national security operations.
Hake underscored the urgency of the situation, posing a critical question: "do they want to buy imagery that’s available, that’s ready to be deployed, that’s proven, or do they want to go it alone?" She highlighted the immediate readiness of commercial imagery versus the years and billions of dollars required for developing bespoke systems.
Hake also drew attention to the growing international competition in the sector, particularly from China's increasing investments in commercial remote sensing. She concluded by emphasizing the need for continued U.S. investment to maintain a competitive edge: “I think we need continued investment if we want to keep winning.”