The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has added Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies to the vendor pool of launch providers as part of the second on-ramping process to the fourth iteration of the Orbital Services Program.
SSC said Wednesday OSP-4 is a potential $986 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with an ordering period that will run through October 2028 and is being implemented as part of the Rocket Systems Launch Program.
“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,” said Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot, chief of the command’s Small Launch and Targets Division.
OSC-4 seeks to facilitate the rapid procurement of services to launch payloads of approximately 400 pounds or more within a year or two years. Task orders under the IDIQ contract can be tailored to meet the demanding timelines for Tactically Responsive Space missions and other requirements.
“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,” added Hendershot.
Second OSP-4 On-Ramp Opportunity
In March, SSC launched the second on-ramp opportunity for the OSP-4 contract, seeking additional launch service providers.
The Space Force initially awarded the IDIQ contract in 2019 and initiated the first on-ramp in 2021.
Blue Origin and Stoke Space join the other 10 launch providers on the OSP-4 contract: ABL Space Systems, Aevum, Astra, Firefly Aerospace, Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Relativity Space, Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB), SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and X-Bow.
To date, the service branch has awarded seven missions worth more than $190 million combined using the OSP-4 contract.