NASA Announces Recipients of $6 Billion Spacecraft Contract

The Rapid IV Contract

NASA said that the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV — or Rapid IV — On-Ramp III contract would provide spacecraft, components, equipment, and related services on an “indefinite-delivery” and “indefinite-quantity” basis from next summer through August 2030.

General Atomics, Blue Canyon Among the Contractors

The recipients are San Diego-based defense and aerospace giant General Atomics, Italian aerospace engineering company Argotec, Norwegian technology giant Kongsberg’s NanoAvionics satellite subsidiary, and Colorado satellite developer Blue Canyon Technologies.

“On-Ramp” Feature Allows New Vendors

NASA officials, however, noted that the contract’s “on-ramp” provision allows it to be re-opened to potentially consider new vendors’ spacecraft designs.

Work to Support NASA Research Hub

The contract would support NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, but the work conducted under it could be directed to other NASA sites or additional federal agencies.

Production under the deal would be performed primarily at contractor facilities, but some could also occur at launch sites. The designs and other services could also be adjusted to meet the specific needs of missions “as needed.”

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