Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to national security launch program
Relativity Space and Impulse Space have been added to the U.S. Space Force’s National Security Space Launch Phase 3, Lane 1 contract program.
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The brief
Space Force has officially incorporated Relativity Space and Impulse Space into the NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 contract pool. This inclusion allows both startups to compete for national security launch missions. Coverage from SpaceNews, Breaking Defense, Via Satellite, AL.com, and the U.S.
Department of War highlights that these firms are now part of a program backed by a $5.6 billion contract. Reporting emphasizes the government's push to diversify the pool of providers for small and medium launch payloads. Future updates will track specific mission assignments for these new entrants.
Coverage does not yet specify the timeline for individual launch tasks under this phase of the program.
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Quick answers
What program did these companies join?
They joined the U.S. Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3, Lane 1.
What is the total value of the contract pool?
The contract pool is valued at $5.6 billion.
What types of payloads are involved?
The program covers small and medium launch payloads for national security.
Coverage (6)
- Space Access Awards 2 Contracts to On-Ramp New Providers to National Security Space Launc ssc.spaceforce.mil · 13h ago
- Impulse Space and Relativity Space Join the Field for Space Force NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 Via Satellite · 13h ago
- 2 firms secure $5.6 billion contract to launch national security payloads into space AL.com · 13h ago
- Space Force adds two startups to small, medium launch pool Breaking Defense · 13h ago
- Contracts for July 7, 2026 U.S. Department of War (.gov) · 13h ago
- Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to national security launch program SpaceNews · 13h ago
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