Autonomous On Orbit Logistics and Sustainment Architecture

Space systems today are designed for single use and lack the ability to be maintained, repaired, or resupplied once deployed. This design philosophy limits maneuverability, reduces resilience, and forces operators to conserve resources. As maneuver warfare emerges in the space domain, the United States Space Force requires a logistics backbone that provides freedom of action, operational reach, and prolonged endurance. This backbone must support rapid reconstitution, autonomous servicing, multi orbit distribution, and predictive sustainment.

The On Orbit Space Logistics Challenge seeks mature technologies that can transition directly into prototype development. These technologies must support a future in which satellites are serviced, refueled, repaired, repositioned, and recovered as part of routine operations. The D2P2 effort will focus on autonomous operations, multi orbit integration, servicing demonstrations, depot interactions, and logistics health monitoring. The performer must demonstrate how their technology contributes to a resilient logistics architecture capable of supporting sustained operations in contested environments. This topic encourages solutions that integrate with broader Space Force concepts such as sustained space maneuver, dynamic space operations, and contested logistics. The performer must show how their technology supports mission continuity, reduces reconstitution burden, and enhances the survivability of critical space assets.

Offerors may structure their approach using one of two acceptable architectural frameworks. Both approaches are valid for early exploration and concept development, and both support the broader goal of building a resilient on orbit logistics enterprise. Offerors should select the approach that best aligns with their proposed technology, their integration pathway, and the operational problem they intend to solve.

Systems of Systems Approach A Systems of Systems approach views the on orbit logistics enterprise as a collection of interconnected subsystems that work together to deliver sustained combat power. This perspective recognizes that no single technology can solve the logistics challenge alone. Instead, multiple systems must interact across orbital regimes, mission timelines, and operational conditions. Under this approach, the proposer describes how their technology fits within a larger architecture that includes depots, warehouses, orbital transfer vehicles, servicing vehicles, drop ships, and health monitoring systems. The feasibility study should explain how the proposed system interacts with other systems, how it contributes to distribution loops, and how it supports the overall sustainment mission. This approach is well suited for technologies that enable integration, coordination, or interoperability across multiple nodes.

A Systems of Systems framing encourages proposers to think about interfaces, standards, autonomy, and mission sequencing. It also supports early identification of dependencies, constraints, and opportunities for modularity. This approach is particularly useful for technologies that enable routing, servicing, depot operations, or multi orbit logistics planning.

Logistics Function Approach A Logistics Function approach focuses on the specific logistics activity that the proposed technology enables. Instead of describing the entire architecture, the proposer concentrates on the function their system performs. Examples include refueling, repair, recovery, resupply, warehousing, or health monitoring.Under this approach, the feasibility study explains how the proposed technology improves the performance of a particular logistics function. The proposer describes the operational need, the current limitations, and the functional improvements their solution provides. This approach is well suited for technologies that perform a discrete logistics task, such as propellant transfer, component replacement, autonomous inspection, or orbital resupply.

A Logistics Function framing encourages proposers to think about efficiency, reliability, throughput, and mission impact. It also supports early demonstration of measurable improvements in sustainment operations. This approach is particularly useful for technologies that provide a clear, direct enhancement to a single logistics capability.

Selecting the Appropriate Approach Offerors may choose either approach. The selection should be based on the nature of the proposed technology and the operational problem it addresses. A Systems of Systems approach is appropriate when the technology interacts with multiple nodes or contributes to enterprise level coordination. A Logistics Function approach is appropriate when the technology performs a specific task that can be evaluated independently. The proposer must clearly identify which approach they are using and explain why it is appropriate for their concept.

Program: SBIR, Phase I and Phase II Agency: Department of War, Air Force Topic number: DAF26BX06-DV513 Solicitation: 26.BX Released September 2, 2026; proposals accepted from September 23, 2026 Closes October 21, 2026. Check the official solicitation for the exact due time. Award type: contract, not a grant. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ Listed on SBIR.gov: https://www.sbir.gov/topics/13014. SBIR.gov copies agency solicitations and can lag behind them; the official solicitation is the final word.

Small businesses only: a for-profit US business with 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates.

More than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents (some agencies also accept majority ownership by venture capital, hedge fund or private equity firms; the solicitation says).

SBIR: the principal investigator is primarily employed by the business. STTR: the business partners with a US nonprofit research institution or university, which does at least 30% of the work.

Registered in SAM.gov before submitting.

Check the official solicitation for its own conditions, proposal limits and security review.