Blue Origin & Stoke Space to Compete for US Space Force Small Satellite Missions

The U.S. Space Force has announced the inclusion of Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies as eligible launch providers under the Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4) contract. This move aims to enhance the agility and competitiveness of short-turnaround small-satellite missions.

The OSP-4 Contract

The OSP-4 contract, an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, was established by the Air Force in 2019.

IDIQ contracts are designed to provide the government with the flexibility to order an indefinite quantity of supplies or services within a set timeframe, responding to needs as they arise. This framework is particularly suited to the rapidly evolving landscape of commercial space launch capabilities.

To date, the Space Force’s small launch division, based at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has awarded seven missions under the OSP-4 contract, with a combined value exceeding $190 million. The program targets missions with payloads of 400 pounds or greater, with providers required to be launch-ready within 12 to 24 months from the award of a task order. The overall IDIQ contract has a ceiling of $986 million, extending through October 2028.

Blue Origin's inclusion in OSP-4 follows its recent selection for the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 procurement. This indicates the Space Force's expectation that Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket will commence payload launches within the next year.

Stoke Space, a newer player in the industry, has made significant strides with the first hot-fire test of its reusable rocket engine. The company is aiming for its first orbital test launch in 2025.

“The addition of these emerging providers preserves, stimulates, and enhances the small launch industrial base and yields the Space Force a diverse vendor pool to support the nation’s defense. We are excited to add Blue Origin and Stoke Space as the newest providers on the OSP-4 contract,” - Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot,

With the inclusion of Blue Origin and Stoke Space, the OSP-4 roster now comprises 12 launch providers. These include ABL Space Systems, Aevum, Astra, Firefly Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and X-Bow. This diverse vendor pool is expected to enhance the robustness and responsiveness of the Space Force’s launch capabilities.

The addition of Blue Origin and Stoke Space to the OSP-4 contract underscores the Space Force’s commitment to leveraging emerging commercial space capabilities. As these new entrants join the roster, the U.S. Space Force is well-positioned to address the dynamic needs of national defense through innovative and flexible launch solutions.