The US Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $29.9 million task order for the Space Test Program (STP)-S29A launch service.
The STP-S29A mission aims to deliver “technology demonstrations to orbit and contribute to future space system development” and advances space-based warfighter technologies across the Department of Defense.
The award will see Northrop Grumman transport 200 kilograms (441 pounds) of STP CubeSats and related payloads to low earth orbit using its Minotaur IV satellite launch vehicle.
The launch is slated for September 2024.
“The competitive award of the STP-S29A task order is a prime example of the flexible and responsive contracting processes that [the Space Systems Command] is using to deliver resilient and affordable space Capabilities,” Space Systems Command Launch Procurement and Integration Division Chief Col. Chad Melone said.
Orbital Services Program-4
The award is the fourth task order under the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the US Space Force’s Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4).
OSP-4 paves initiatives for quick acquisition of launch services to meet mission requirements and enable launch activities within one to two years from awarding a task order on a competitive basis.
OSP-4 also allows “periodic on-ramps throughout the ordering period to ensure that emerging, innovative launch providers can compete for future missions.”
