# Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force targets launch-ready cislunar kit by 2029

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports planned requests for commercial technology and spacecraft autonomy, alongside a $30 million challenge for less mature technology.

Published 2026-10-27 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/27/air-and-space-forces-magazine-space-force-targets-launch/

The Space Force plans to release two requests for information soon, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported.[1] The first will seek existing commercial technology that can be ready to launch by 2029.[1] Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, the service’s portfolio acquisition executive for advanced programs, outlined the plans.[1]

Breaking Defense reported that Purdy said the service does not want to spend heavily on research and development for new cislunar capabilities.[2]

Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that the first request favors commercial or near-commercial, non-developmental solutions.[1] Purdy described hardware backed by relevant evidence, software without heavy additional work and ground systems.[1]

The second request seeks artificial intelligence and autonomous processing capabilities for spacecraft operating in cislunar space.[1] The goal, Purdy said, is a fully autonomous system capable of managing its hardware faults, processing and sensor activities.[1]

For earlier-stage technology and research, the Space Force plans a separate industry challenge called Lunar Prime with the Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX.[1] The effort has $30 million in funding and targets flight demonstrations within two years of contract award.[1]

## Why it matters

The funding distinction matters for suppliers: Air & Space Forces Magazine reports $30 million for Lunar Prime but no funding amount for the commercial technology sought through the requests for information.[1] The service’s Cislunar Coordination Office has also drafted a list of high-priority requirements that remain unfunded.[1]

## Sources

1. Space Force Wants Cislunar Kit Ready to Launch by 2029, Air & Space Forces Magazine <https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-cislunar-kit-2029-launch/>
2. Space Force shifts into high gear on cislunar warfare, with RFIs coming soon, Breaking Defense <https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/space-force-shifts-into-high-gear-on-cislunar-warfare-with-rfis-coming-soon/>