Space Force weighs up to five cislunar satellites as soon as 2029
A 2 November industry notice says the Space Force is notionally interested in launching up to five cislunar satellites.
The Space Force is considering launching up to five satellites to cislunar space as soon as 2029. The aim is to help lay the foundation for a future proliferated constellation between Earth and the Moon.
In a 2 November industry notice, the service said it is "notionally interested" in launching a handful of satellites to inform a future acquisition strategy for a Cislunar Space System operating beyond geosynchronous orbit. The spacecraft should be ready to launch by late 2029 for initial operations by 2031.
"These vehicles may serve as seed vehicles that will inform the acquisition strategy for a potential future proliferated cislunar constellation," the notice states. "The government is looking for information on industry's ability to provide a rapid, low-risk solution."
On 21 October, Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, who oversees the Space Force's advanced programs acquisition portfolio, told AFCEA's Space Industry Days conference that as recently as January he was told to avoid talking about cislunar plans. He said leadership across the Department of Defense is now discussing the region as a "warfighting domain".
Sourceairandspaceforces.com