Space Systems Command (SSC) – IHub

The Space Systems Command Innovation Hub (IHub) is a 65,000-square-foot collaborative, unclassified environment located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Under the AFRL/AFOSR Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA), George Mason University provides facility and partnership-intermediary support for authorized activities involving Space Systems Command (SSC) as a Government mission partner.

The IHub provides an environment for Government mission partners to engage universities, startups, research organizations, industry, and other innovation-ecosystem participants in support of technology transfer, technology transition, collaboration, and related Government objectives. Mason’s role is facilitative and is performed within the scope of the AFOSR PIA, applicable CPO, and AFOSR-approved Project Plans.

IHub is more than a meeting space. It provides an environment where Government, academia, industry, commercial organizations, entrepreneurs, and other innovation-ecosystem participants can exchange information, establish connections, demonstrate emerging capabilities, and explore technology transfer and transition opportunities. Whether supporting recurring engagements or larger mission-partner events, activities are intended to strengthen collaboration, improve awareness of emerging technologies, and support Government technology transition objectives.

Through the AFOSR PIA, the IHub provides a collaborative environment where SSC and other authorized Government participants can engage academia, industry, commercial organizations, startups, and other members of the innovation ecosystem. Activities may include technology transfer and transition engagement, technical exchanges, ecosystem outreach, demonstrations, workshops, stakeholder engagement, and other activities authorized through AFOSR-approved Project Plans.

George Mason University supports the environment through partnership facilitation, facility coordination, stakeholder engagement, event support, and other authorized PIA activities. AFOSR remains the Government authority responsible for direction, prioritization, oversight, approval, and performance assessment of work performed under the PIA.

• Technology Demonstration & Transition Engagement: Provides an environment for authorized Government, industry, and academic participants to demonstrate emerging technologies, exchange technical information, and explore technology transfer and transition opportunities.
• Collaboration & Ecosystem Engagement: Connects Government mission partners with academic institutions, research organizations, commercial companies, startups, and other innovation-ecosystem participants in an unclassified collaborative environment.
• Mission Partner Co-location: The IHub may provide space for Government and mission-partner teams and initiatives, including the BMC3I Tools, Applications and Processing (TAP) Lab. Activities conducted by those organizations remain under their respective Government, program, and contractual authorities.