# Department of the Air Force plans up to five cislunar design study contracts A request for information describes spacecraft that may inform the acquisition strategy for a potential future proliferated cislunar constellation. Industry responses are due Nov. 24. Published 2026-11-02 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/02/department-of-the-air-force-plans-up-to-five/ The Department of the Air Force is seeking industry input on a Cislunar Space System that would include up to five spacecraft carrying government-provided payloads.[1] The request for information was posted Nov. 2, 2026.[2] The government intends to award up to five firm-fixed-price preliminary design study contracts after considering responses and other relevant information.[1] The request for information does not guarantee a request for proposals or contract.[1] The spacecraft may serve as seed vehicles to inform the acquisition strategy for a potential future proliferated cislunar constellation.[1] The government is notionally interested in procuring up to five vehicles to meet mission needs in late calendar 2029.[1] It seeks information on a rapid, low-risk solution with minimal non-recurring engineering.[1] Each vehicle would require a spacecraft bus and accommodation of a government-provided payload.[1] The scope also includes a ground segment for mission management, telemetry, tracking, control and communications, plus a space launch solution.[1] ## Why it matters Responding could affect a supplier's access to a subsequent acquisition: the notice warns that failure to respond may result in losing the ability to participate.[1] Responses are due at noon Eastern on Nov. 24, 2026.[1] ## Sources 1. SAM.gov opportunity record 2. SAM.gov opportunity history