The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Department of Defense (DOD) Space Test Program (STP) office is paving the way to procure full lifecycle solutions for Science & Technology experiments through a Space Test Experiments Platform (STEP) 2.0 contract awarded to 12 vendors.
STEP 2.0 establishes a 10-year multi-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $237 million ceiling to bolster spacecraft procurement within STP. The first STEP 2.0 Delivery Order is scheduled to start in January 2026.
Under the purview of Space Systems Command, STP plays a crucial role in facilitating experimental payload access to the space domain. Working in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and academia, the program aims to demonstrate promising technologies to aid the warfighter. By leveraging commercially developed spacecraft and fostering industry partnerships, STEP 2.0 aims to accelerate the development of cutting-edge space technologies over the next decade for the DoD and their mission partners.
The 12 vendors selected for this award are:
Axient LLC
Blue Canyon Technologies, LLC
General Atomics
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Loft Orbital Federal LLC
Lynk Global LLC
Orbit Systems LLC
Spire Global Subsidiary Inc.
Turion Space Corp.
Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc.
Utah State University Space Dynamics Lab
York Space Systems LLC
The DoD Space Test Program will gain measurable value from leveraging industry insights and capabilities to provide proven spacecraft to host the DoD’s next generation of space technologies,” said SSC director of the DoD Space Test Program, USSF Lt. Col. Brian Shimek.
SSC is the USSF’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic, and allied organizations to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.