NASA Adds Relativity Space's Terran R to Launch Services Roster

NASA has awarded Relativity Space a Launch Services II contract for its Terran R vehicle under the contract's on-ramp provision, the agency announced September 9. The addition makes Terran R available for the agency's future missions and expands NASA's roster of launch options.

The NLS II framework is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract structure that includes an annual on-ramp provision. That provision gives new launch service providers a yearly opportunity to compete for future missions and allows existing contractors to introduce vehicles not already on their NLS II contracts. Relativity Space entered through this mechanism.

The NLS II contracts carry an ordering period through June 2030 and an overall period of performance through December 2032. They support the goals and objectives of NASA's Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, Science Mission Directorate, and the Research and Technology Mission Directorate. Under the contract, NASA can also provide launch services to other government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NASA's Launch Services Program Office at Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the NLS II contracts. With the award, the Terran R launch service is now available for NASA's launch services to use on future missions.

The on-ramp gives Relativity's heavy-lift Terran R a formal path to NASA science and exploration missions, expanding the agency's launch options. For Relativity, the award represents inclusion in the contract structure that supports NASA's principal mission directorates.

The next milestone that matters is Terran R's first flight, after which the vehicle can begin carrying out the missions the contract makes possible. Future on-ramp cycles remain open annually for additional providers and vehicles.