Space Force Advances RG-XX Satellite Surveillance Program
The service received program bids in late October, targeting a 2029 launch for its new orbital monitoring network.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Space
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The U.S. Space Force has officially received bids for its RG-XX satellite program. This initiative, managed through the Andromeda contract vehicle, aims to procure new space surveillance capabilities with an expected award in 2027.
Why it matters
The program represents a significant push to modernize space-based surveillance using a multi-vendor approach. By leveraging the Andromeda contract vehicle, the military aims to accelerate procurement and build a resilient infrastructure for monitoring orbit.
The Space Force is utilizing the $6.2 billion Andromeda contract vehicle, which currently includes 14 authorized companies. The program is backed by a five-year funding plan totaling $2.8 billion to support the development and launch of the surveillance assets.
The players
U.S. Space Force
The branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for space operations, which is shifting toward a rapid, multi-vendor procurement model for orbital surveillance.
Scout Space
A developer of space-based surveillance and inspection technologies that recently secured a $60 million STRATFI contract.
The details
The RG-XX program uses a competitive delivery order process under the existing Andromeda contract vehicle, a flexible framework designed to allow rapid tasking of aerospace contractors. By awarding the vehicle to 14 companies, the Space Force maintains a pool of vendors for specialized surveillance payloads and bus integration. The system is designed to provide persistent space domain awareness, though specific sensor architecture details remain classified or unannounced.
Timeline
April 2026: The Space Force awarded the Andromeda contract to 14 companies.
October 26, 2026: The deadline for RG-XX program delivery order bids closed.
2027: The Space Force expects to finalize the contract award.
Early fiscal 2029: The first RG-XX satellites are planned for launch.
The Tech Race
The RG-XX program serves as a critical test for the Andromeda contract vehicle, which was designed to move beyond traditional long-cycle acquisition models. It pits internal rapid-procurement workflows against the scale of traditional orbital surveillance efforts.
For industrial partners and defense contractors, this milestone indicates a clear shift toward high-volume procurement pathways. The program will influence which aerospace firms receive significant government investment over the next five years.
The takeaway
The Space Force is accelerating its move toward a diversified, rapid-procurement model for space surveillance. Stakeholders should monitor the 2027 contract award as a primary indicator of which contractors will dominate the next generation of orbital monitoring assets.
What happens next
Watch for the formal contract award announcement expected in 2027, followed by the first scheduled satellite launches in early fiscal 2029.
Further reading
Explore the ongoing shifts in orbital monitoring at Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Satnews.
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