Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to NSSL Lane 1
Relativity Space · Impulse Space
Space Force added Relativity Space and Impulse Space to its NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch-services pool.
what happened
The U.S. Space Force admitted Relativity Space and Impulse Space to the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 contract vehicle, per SpaceNews. Lane 1 is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity pool that lets qualified companies compete for individual national-security launch task orders as they arise, without guaranteeing work. The expanded roster now includes SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Stoke Space alongside the two new entrants. Per Via Satellite, Space Systems Command awarded both companies $5 million firm-fixed-price task orders for risk and capability assessments; Impulse said it is the first upper-stage provider to serve as a prime in the program.
why it matters
Relativity's Terran R and Impulse's orbital transfer vehicles can now bid on Space Force missions, reflecting a shift toward buying integrated transportation services, a rocket paired with a separate orbital-delivery vehicle, rather than launch alone. It widens the field of companies competing for national-security launch dollars beyond the incumbents, though Lane 1 admission alone guarantees neither company any task orders.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- Relativity Space, Impulse Space
- Category
- procurement
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 4 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-07-08
- Published
- 2026-07-08 10:03 UTC