Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to national security launch program
The U.S. Space Force has expanded its national security launch provider pool by adding Relativity Space and Impulse Space to the NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 contract.
📍 The outcome
The US Space Force added Relativity and Impulse Space to its national security launch program, with the two companies securing a $5.6 billion contract to launch national security payloads into space. Impulse Space specifically secured a landmark contract for its Helios upper stage, while Relativity Space was also on-ramped as a new provider. The additions brought the total number of companies in the Space Force's NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 field to seven.
Epilogue added 45d ago, after coverage quieted.
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What happened
Space Force has awarded contracts to Relativity Space and Impulse Space, bringing the total number of providers for the NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 program to seven. This addition follows the announcement of a $5.6 billion contract pool intended for the launch of national security payloads. Coverage from outlets including SpaceNews, Defense Daily, and the U.S.
Department of War highlights the integration of these startups into the military's launch infrastructure. Reports specify that Impulse Space was selected for its Helios upper stage capabilities. Future developments will involve the operational integration of these new providers into the existing launch field.
Coverage does not yet specify the timeline for the first mission executions under this expanded contract structure.
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 45d ago.
Who reported it (9)
- Impulse Space secures landmark US Space Force launch contract for Helios upper stage spaceconnectonline.com.au · 47d ago
- 2 firms secure $5.6 billion contract to launch national security payloads into space Yahoo · 47d ago
- Space Force NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 Field Now at Seven With Two New Companies' Entrance Defense Daily · 47d ago
- Space Access Awards 2 Contracts to On-Ramp New Providers to National Security Space Launc ssc.spaceforce.mil · 47d ago
- Impulse Space and Relativity Space Join the Field for Space Force NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 Via Satellite · 47d ago
- 2 firms secure $5.6 billion contract to launch national security payloads into space AL.com · 47d ago
- Space Force adds two startups to small, medium launch pool Breaking Defense · 47d ago
- Contracts for July 7, 2026 U.S. Department of War (.gov) · 47d ago
- Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to national security launch program SpaceNews · 47d ago
Questions people are asking
Which companies were added to the program?
Relativity Space and Impulse Space were the two companies added to the U.S. Space Force NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 launch pool.
What is the total value of the contract pool?
The contract pool for launching national security payloads is valued at $5.6 billion.
How many providers are now in the NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 field?
With the addition of these two firms, the total number of providers in the field has reached seven.
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