Monica Jackson
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks payload providers who are interested in launching their spacecraft in a prize competition that aims to speed up cargo launch missions.
Todd Master, program manager of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, said in a statement published Thursday that the request for information provides a mutual opportunity for spacecraft developers looking for launch services and spaceflight companies participating in the challenge.
“The DARPA Launch Challenge provides a vehicle to connect these groups and get payloads on orbit in the next 18 months,†Master added.
The agency is particularly looking for payloads that could operate in low-Earth orbit, provide services for commercial or military missions and withstand different rocket environmental conditions.
Responses to the RFI for payload proposals will be accepted until July 27.
The DARPA Launch Challenge will involve launching two different payloads from two different launch sites within weeks from each other.
