U.S. Air Force Considers Extending OSP-3 Launch Contracting Vehicle

摘要

The U.S. Air Force is planning to modify its current contracting vehicle for launching its mostly experimental small- and medium-class payloads due to a hiatus in activity that is expected to last for at least a third consecutive year. In 2012, the Air Force awarded Orbital ATK of Dulles, Virginia, SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Denver so-called indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts that created a stable of vehicles qualified to launch the small and medium-sized satellites. Actual launch missions under the Orbital-Suborbital Program (OSP)-3 contract are awarded on a case-by-case basis. The program is intended to enhance launch vehicle competition and to give the government flexibility in choosing rockets for specific missions based on cost and risk.