The U.S. Air Force released a final request for proposals Jan. 31 to launch five Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) spacecraft in the early 2020s.
According to the Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) in California, which announced the RFP, the solicitation includes the fiscal year 2021 launches of two Air Force spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida or NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft are the fifth Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO-5) missile-warning satellite, and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-44, whose mission was not disclosed.
Also in FY 2021, NROL-87 will lift off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and NROL-85 will be launched from the Eastern or Western Range.
The fifth spacecraft, Silent Barker, which Air Force Space Command and the NRO are jointly pursuing to provide space situational awareness, will lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station or Kennedy in FY 2022.
Bids for the launches are due April 16. The Air Force plans to award contracts in late 2018.
“This solicitation incorporates a trade-off between past performance, performance and schedule sub-factors, and price to maintain a focus on mission success for these critical payloads,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, SMC’s commander.
The RFP is the Air Force’s sixth competitive launch solicitation under its Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Phase 1A procurement strategy, which reintroduces competition for national security space launches.