U.S. Space Force adds Impulse Space, Relativity Space to NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1

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The Space Force has added two startup firms to its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, expanding the competitive field for "commercial-like" missions to seven providers.

The service added Impulse Space and Relativity Space, both based in Southern California, to its vendor pool for the program's "Phase 3 Lane 1" contract. This new feature of the NSSL program is designed to give the Space Force more launch options for lower-risk missions and to broaden the launch industrial base.

"This is critical at a time when our launch cadence is rapidly increasing and our customers are relying on us to deliver everything they need to provide for the security of our nation and allies," said Col. Eric Zarybnisky, acting portfolio acquisition executive for space access, in a July 8 statement. "Today's awards create new partnerships that further expand our industrial base; improving our resiliency and responsiveness so that we can reliably deliver critical defense capabilities on orbit for the security of our nation."

Contract Details

Each firm received $5 million to fund initial on-ramp efforts before becoming eligible to compete for up to $5.6 billion in Lane 1 contracts. They join five other companies in the vendor pool:

• SpaceX
• United Launch Alliance (ULA)
• Blue Origin
• Stoke Space
• Rocket Lab

Qualification and Capabilities

To qualify for Lane 1 competition, a company's rocket must have flown, or the firm must demonstrate a credible path toward flight.

• Relativity Space is building a reusable medium-lift rocket, Terran R, which it expects to launch for the first time late this year.
• Impulse Space is primarily focused on orbital transfer vehicles. Its Helios vehicle—a high-energy upper stage designed to transport payloads from low-Earth orbit to higher orbits—has been selected for Lane 1. This marks a first for the NSSL program. Helios is slated to fly in 2027, and the company plans to partner it with a standard medium-lift rocket.

"This award is a big validation of the capabilities we're delivering at Impulse, and we're honored to support national security objectives for our country," said Eric Romo, president and COO of Impulse Space. "Pairing Helios with a standard medium-lift launch vehicle offers a more operationally flexible and cost-effective path to high-energy orbits than other solutions. We look forward to providing a new option for assured access to space for the Space Force."

Phase 3 Acquisition Strategy

The Space Force's Phase 3 acquisition strategy includes two competitive tracks, or lanes:

• Lane 1: Reserved for commercial-style launches with less stringent requirements.
• Lane 2: For more demanding, high-value missions flown by rockets certified to carry national security payloads. To date, SpaceX and ULA are the only Lane 2-certified providers, though Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is currently undergoing the validation process.

The Space Force expects Lane 1 to include approximately 30 missions. It began ordering Phase 3 launch services in fiscal year 2025 and plans to issue new, competitive task orders to its vendor pool annually through at least fiscal year 2029.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org.