What Happened
Impulse Space and Relativity Federal Join National Security Space Launch Program
The Space Force has expanded its pool of launch providers for less critical national security payloads, adding California-based startups Impulse Space and Relativity Federal to the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program. The two new additions join five existing providers, including Rocket Lab, Stoke Space, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance. The Lane 1 program focuses on launches to easier-to-reach orbits and less complex missions, such as the Space Development Agency’s data transport and missile tracking satellites. Each of the new startups has received a $5 million award to conduct an initial capabilities assessment and develop their approach to tailored mission assurance. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.