The newest entrant in the military’s launch competition isn't actually a launch company
Summary
The US Space Force added two companies, Impulse Space and Relativity Space, to its list of bidders for military rocket launch contracts. Impulse Space is unusual because it focuses on spacecraft that operate in space rather than rockets, but it is developing a special "kick stage" to help launch satellites to higher orbits.Key Facts
- The US Space Force’s National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program selects companies to bid on military rocket launch contracts from 2025 to 2029.
- Two companies, Impulse Space and Relativity Space, were recently added as eligible bidders.
- Relativity Space is working on launching its heavy-lift Terran R rocket.
- Impulse Space builds spacecraft for operations in space, not traditional rockets.
- Impulse Space is developing a "kick stage" called Helios to boost satellites from low-Earth orbit to geostationary orbit (about 36,000 km high).
- Helios can increase the performance of medium-lift rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9, acting like a powerful extra booster.
- To bid on contracts, Impulse Space must first demonstrate Helios in a successful test flight.
- Impulse Space is testing Helios components in Mojave, California, including a test tank and the Deneb engine, which runs on liquid oxygen and methane.
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