Space Systems Command Awards 15 Companies a $981 Million Contract to Develop Live Orbital Training Ranges
Space Systems Command awarded 15 companies positions on the NITE-STAR contract, a six-year, up to $981 million vehicle designed to build a live training range for the U.S. Space Force. The administration announced the award on July 30, following a competitive process where 20 bids were received. The contract, formally titled National Space Test and Training Complex Innovative Technology and Engineering – Space Test and Range Capability Development, will run through July 29, 2032. This initiative aims to provide Space Force Guardians with realistic orbital training environments that simulate adversary maneuvers from China and Russia. Unlike computer simulations, NITE-STAR will utilize actual satellites in orbit to propagate real radio frequency signals and execute maneuvers. The 15 selected companies include legacy primes like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, alongside commercial firms such as Rocket Lab and Redwire. The contract covers five key areas: space-based systems, ground systems, digital environments, electronic warfare reproduction, and sustainment. The goal is the Space Force's equivalent of the Air Force's Red Flag exercises, allowing operators to train against a thinking adversary in orbit before actual conflict.