# Air Force Seeks Cislunar Satellite Designs

The Department of the Air Force is seeking industry input through an RFI for a proposed Cislunar Space System of up to five spacecraft. Responses are due **November 24, 2026 (12 days from November 12)**. The concept separates government-provided payloads from industry-supplied spacecraft buses, integration and testing, ground segment, launch, and operations. The Air Force anticipates awarding up to five firm-fixed-price preliminary design studies in early 2027; these are planned studies, not a confirmed full-system award or funded fleet. The stated planning targets are initial launch capability by late 2029 and full on-orbit operations by 2031.

- Companies with deep-space spacecraft, communications, ground-network, integration, testing, launch, or operations capabilities can use the RFI to describe relevant experience and capabilities before the November 24 response deadline.
- The potential study awards may offer an early entry point for firms seeking to shape system concepts, but the RFI does not guarantee an award or follow-on production work.
- Interested contractors can review the RFI and submit responses by the stated deadline, then use SAM.gov to check for announcements of study awards or a follow-on solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 11, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of the Air Force (DAF)
- United States Space Force (USSF)

### Key Quotes
> Please jump on my cislunar bandwagon because I need some more friends here.
> — Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Space Force acquisition chief

### Sources
- [Pentagon Moon Satellites: 5 Cislunar Craft in RFI [2026]](https://shattered.io/pentagon-cislunar-space-system-rfi-five-moon-satellites-2026) - shattered.io
- [Space Force Weighs Acquisition of Five Cislunar Satellites by Late 2029 – SatNews](https://satnews.com/2026/11/11/space-force-weighs-acquisition-of-five-cislunar-satellites-by-late-2029) - SatNews Publishers