The United States Space Force agency is looking for a new vendor (or groups of vendors) to create new missile warning satellites. This contract is worth $4.7 billion in total.
Space Force Missile Warning Satellites
The Space Systems Command will solicit proposals from the private sector for up to four infrared sensing satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO) for missile monitoring and warning the following year.
The Pentagon’s multi-orbit space sensor architecture will gain a new layer with the addition of satellites.
To give more eyes to hostile hypersonic missiles, the Pentagon opted to integrate MEO satellites into the missile-defense network.
Sensors in medium orbits would be able to look closer to Earth and track a larger region than those in geostationary satellites’ present sensors.
The Department of Defence is asking for $4.7 billion for this project.
Delivering The Satellites
Under a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, the Space Force will choose a set of suppliers to compete for $50 million in task orders.
It is intended to choose a variety of manufacturers capable of building spacecraft ranging from 12U CubeSats to 180-kg ESPA-class satellites. These contractors will be in charge of the spacecraft’s design, development, and production as well as its integration of experimental payloads, testing of the combined space vehicle, and support for launch and mission operations after launch.
