The US Space Force’s Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, part of Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space (AATS) program executive office, has awarded the second on ramp to the Orbital Services Program (OSP)-4 Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies Inc.
OSP-4 is executed as part of the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP). It allows for the rapid acquisition of launch services to meet mission requirements for payloads 400 pounds or greater, enabling launch within 12-24 months from task order award. Task orders under the contract can be tailored to meet more demanding timelines for Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) missions or other needs.
The Space Force has awarded seven missions to date using the OSP-4 contract, totaling more than $190 million. The contract has a $986 million ceiling with ordering through October 2028. The Space Force will compete missions ordered under the contract among the IDIQ awardees.
The addition of these emerging providers preserves, stimulates, and enhances the small launch industrial base and yields the Space Force a diverse vendor pool to support the nation’s defense.
“We are excited to add Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies Inc. as the newest providers on the OSP-4 contract,” said Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot, chief of SSC’s Small Launch and Targets Division.
“RSLP continues to serve as a complement to the National Security Space Launch Program, providing access to a wide range of solutions that may not be available through other programs. We’re known for our proud tradition of supporting orbital and suborbital launch needs including experimental and operational missions,” Hendershot explained. “OSP-4 is available to our partners across the DoD with an emphasis on small orbital launch capabilities and launch solutions for Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission needs. Space Systems Command is focused on providing the full spectrum of space access solutions that the Space Force and the nation require.”
This was the second OSP-4 on ramp opportunity. SSC initially awarded the OSP-4 contract in 2019 followed by the first on ramp in 2021. While there is not an upper limit on the size or performance of launch systems available on the contract, OSP-4 missions are typically structured with an emphasis on small launch capabilities.
Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies Inc. join 10 other launch providers on the OSP-4 contract: ABL Space Systems, Aevum, Astra, Firefly Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and X-Bow. This on ramp award adds additional emerging launch providers and their capabilities to this group that is eligible to compete for future USSF OSP-4 Task Order awards.
SSC is the US Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the DoD and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.