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U.S. Space Force adds Impulse Space and Relativity Space to NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 roster, expanding program eligibility to seven

The U.S. Space Force awarded NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 contracts to Air Force Impulse Space Inc. and Relativity Federal Inc. under FA8811-26-D-B001 and FA8811-26-D-B002, bringing the eligible launch-provider field to seven. The awards are part of the Space Force’s broader $5.6B NSSL program.

Discovered 2026-07-08T07:30:43.445422-07:00 | 2026-07-08T07:30:43.445422-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Expands the competitive launch-provider field under NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 to seven, affecting how the Space Force sources assured access to space.
  • Confirms new contract awards for two additional startups in the $5.6B NSSL portfolio, shaping both near-term launch cadence and longer-term vendor strategy.
  • Highlights continued movement in National Security Space Launch procurement, which can ripple into pricing, capacity planning, and integration timelines across defense space launch programs.

Reported By

Defense Daily Aerotech News defence-blog.com
Sources Tracked
3
First Seen
2026-07-08T07:30:43.445422-07:00
Latest Update
2026-07-08T10:30:02.971248-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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