Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy said two requests for information are coming soon, one for commercial cislunar technology and one for AI software to run autonomous spacecraft, with fielding targeted by the end of fiscal 2029. The push is driven largely by concern over Chinese activity between Earth and the Moon.

Space Systems Command awarded GHOST-R prototype contracts on Sept. 18 for spacecraft that will take high-resolution images of objects in geosynchronous orbit. Northrop will build on its ESPASat-L spacecraft and True Anomaly will supply its Jackal vehicle, with launches planned by 2028; contract values were not disclosed.