The newest entrant in the military’s launch competition isn't actually a launch company
Summary
Ars Technica reports that the US Space Force added Impulse Space and Relativity Space to Phase 3 of its National Security Space Launch program, signaling a broader pool of entrants for high-energy orbital launches. The piece highlights Impulse Space's Helios kick stage and Relativity Space's progress with the Terran R, along with the Lane 1 structure designed to bring newer players into the defense-space launch market, with flight demonstrations and potential task orders on the horizon.