Blue Origin, Stoke Space selected by U.S. Space Force to compete for small satellite missions
Top Stories Tamfitronics Stoke Space test-fired its new booster engine in June 2024. Credit: Stoke SpaceWASHINGTON The U.S. Space Force has added Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies to its roster of launch providers eligible to compete for short-turnaround small-satellite missions under the Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4) contract.OSP-4, an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, was established by the Air Force in 2019 to leverage emerging commercial launch capabilities. IDIQ contracts allow for an indefinite quantity of supplies or services during a fixed period, with the government placing orders as needs arise.The Space Force’s small launch division at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has awarded seven missions to date using the OSP-4 contract, totaling over $190 million. The program focuses on missions with payloads of 400 pounds or greater, requiring providers to...