Mirror Review
July 9, 2026
The U.S. Space Force expanded its list of qualified aerospace companies on July 7, 2026, by adding two new providers to its major launch program. The Space Systems Command awarded National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts to Impulse Space and Relativity Federal. This addition in the US Space Force launch contracts increases the total number of eligible launch providers to seven under a multi-award program that features a maximum cumulative ceiling of $5.6 billion. These IDIQ (Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity) contracts allow the military to access commercial innovation for its growing orbital needs.
Understanding the Space Force Lane 1 Contracts
The Space Force Lane 1 contracts operate differently than traditional defense hardware acquisitions. Admission to this pool does not guarantee immediate launch orders. Instead, it places the seven selected companies into a pre-qualified pool.
The Space Force will solicit competitive bids from this pool for individual missions as they arise, provided the companies have successfully launched at least once.
According to the Department of War contracts for July 7, both Impulse Space and Relativity Federal received an initial $5 million fixed-price task order.
These initial funds cover capabilities assessments and the development of a tailored mission assurance framework.
| Contract Details | Specifics |
| Contract Type | Firm-Fixed-Price, IDIQ |
| Program Phase | NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 |
| Program Ceiling | $5.6 Billion cumulative max |
| Initial Obligation | $5 million per new provider |
| Contracting Activity | Space Systems Command |
- The Phase 3 strategy uses a dual-lane model to balance risk and reward.
- Lane 2 is reserved for the heaviest, most expensive, and sensitive payloads that require strict government oversight and fully certified rockets.
- Lane 1 focuses on risk-tolerant payloads, utilizing streamlined commercial processes to lower costs and speed up deployment timelines.
Expanding the National Security Space Launch Pool
The National Security Space Launch program serves as the primary procurement mechanism for putting defense satellites into orbit. By expanding the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 framework, the military aims to build a more resilient and responsive industrial base.
The two new companies bring different capabilities to the existing pool.
The seven companies now eligible to compete for these US Space Force launch contracts include:
- SpaceX: An established provider and one of the most valuable company in the world, on-ramped during fiscal year 2024.
- United Launch Alliance (ULA): A traditional mission partner added in fiscal year 2024.
- Blue Origin: On-ramped in fiscal year 2024 to offer heavy-lift options.
- Rocket Lab: A small-to-medium launch specialist added in fiscal year 2025. The company’s recent acquisition of satellite operator Iridium further strengthens its position in the national security space ecosystem.
- Stoke Space: A reusable rocket developer added in fiscal year 2025.
- Relativity Federal: A newcomer developing the Terran R medium-lift rocket.
- Impulse Space: An orbital transportation specialist focused on in-space transit.
As noted in the official statement by U.S. Space Force Colonel Eric Zarybnisky, the acting portfolio acquisition executive for Space Access, the strategy is working as intended.
“The increase to seven providers in the third year of our NSSL Lane 1 contract is exactly the kind of result we envisioned when we developed our dual-lane strategy to address the changing needs of our customers,” Zarybnisky stated.
A New Approach to Military Space Access
The inclusion of the Impulse Space contract highlights how the military defines launch services. Instead of buying rides exclusively on traditional rockets, the Space Force is looking at integrated transportation services.
- Impulse Space does not manufacture traditional booster rockets. The company develops orbital transfer vehicles, often called space tugs, which move satellites from a rocket’s drop-off point to precise operational orbits. For this program, Impulse will provide its Helios upper stage and partner with a medium-lift rocket provider to offer a complete package. This setup allows the military to procure end-to-end delivery from the ground all the way to high-energy geostationary orbits.
- Meanwhile, the Relativity Federal contract brings the Terran R medium-lift launch vehicle into the military fold. Although the rocket has not yet completed its maiden flight, its inclusion allows the company to bid on future missions as soon as it achieves basic flight readiness.
End Note
The addition of two new companies to the US Space Force launch contracts pool marks an important step toward a broader, more competitive military launch market. By funding both rocket developers and orbital transit providers, the Space Systems Command is adapting to modern market realities. This $5.6 billion initiative ensures the military can scale its orbital operations quickly, keeping pace with commercial technological developments while securing vital national defense assets.
Maria Isabel Rodrigues
