The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Launch Enterprise, in collaboration with the Space Development Corps’ Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), today released three Requests for Prototype Proposals to industry.
SMC intends to partner with industry to invest in next generation rocket engine testing, upper stage resiliency enhancements, and orbital transfer and maneuver capabilities.
“These enabling investments are a part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 strategy to accelerate development of transformational space access capabilities and make them available for future NSSL procurement contracts,” said Col. Rob Bongiovi, director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise. “We are eager to work with SpEC to maximize acquisition flexibility and speed to award the next generation rocket engine testing and upper stage resiliency enhancements Other Transactions by September 2021 and the orbital transfer and maneuver capabilities OTs in early 2022.”
“SpEC is great tool for us to harness industry’s ingenuity to ensure the Launch Enterprise can meet emerging warfighter needs and retain our preeminent space launch capability,” Bongiovi added.
“Government demand for the SpEC vehicle remains high, and we’re eager to welcome the Launch Enterprise into the fold,” said Col. Tim Sejba, program executive officer for Space Development. “These NSSL efforts are a key part of a really exciting year for SpEC. Over the next twelve months, we expect to release 11 projects with a cumulative value exceeding $1.5 billion.”
These RPPs represent the start of the next phase of the NSSL strategy and underpin NSSL Phase 3 efforts for a full and open procurement competition in FY24.
Established in 2017, SpEC facilitates engagement between the Department of Defense space community, industry, and academia. SpEC leverages these partnerships to promote integrated research and prototyping efficiencies, and to accelerate next-generation space-related technology and prototype development. Today, the Consortium includes over 500 members, 70 percent of which are non-traditional. To learn more, visit: https://space-enterprise.org/
The U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is the center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. SMC’s portfolio includes space launch, global positioning systems, military satellite communications, a defense meteorological satellite control network, range systems, space-based infrared systems, and space domain awareness capabilities.
