The Air Force let a $900 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for space launch services under the Rocket Systems Launch Program, announced the Pentagon. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences, and Space Exploration Technologies will provide launch vehicles through November 2017, states the contract description, which is included in the Defense Department’s Dec. 3 list of major contracts. RSLP utilizes commercial launch systems as well as deactivated Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBM motors to place small spacecraft into a variety of orbits for DOD and other government agencies.
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.


