WASHINGTON — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is seeking information from small-lift launch providers on the capabilities of their vehicles. The agency is doing market research in preparation for a 2022 launch of a payload that “may be classified and may include sight sensitive components,” said the request for information issued by DARPA on Sept. 30, reports Sandra Erwin for SpaceNews.com. Continue reading original article
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
October 3, 2019- DARPA spokesman Jared Adams noted that because of success found with the R3D2 launch - which is short for Radio Frequency Risk Reduction Deployment Demonstration - the DoD tech wizards want to deal directly with launch companies instead of going through an intermediary. R3D2 tests the ability of small-sats to deploy antennas to enable high-bandwidth communications.
“With the success of the recent R3D2 launch service contract, DARPA is interested in small launch service contracts for current and future technology development efforts,” said Adams to SpaceNews. “With the growing number of dedicated small launch providers, it behooves DARPA to procure these services directly rather than going through a different agency.”
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Related: DARPA’s latest pursuit? Stealth gliders that dissolve when exposed to sunlight
Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
