Relativity Space lands NASA launch contract for Terran R

NASA awarded a NASA Launch Services II contract to Relativity Space Inc. to make its Terran R launch service available for future agency space missions. The award follows the on-ramp provision designed to integrate commercial launch vehicles into agency operations.

Contract expansion under the on-ramp provision

The on-ramp mechanism creates an annual opportunity for new launch service providers to compete for future missions and allows existing contractors to introduce vehicles not currently included in their agreements.

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Relativity Space secures access through this mechanism to offer its Terran R rocket for upcoming federal flight assignments. The vehicle will stand available to agency planners seeking commercial orbital delivery capabilities. NASA maintains these procurement routes to broaden competitive access across the commercial space industry.

Operational timeline running through December 2032

The NLS II framework operates as a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity agreement that establishes an ordering period through June 2030, with an overall period of performance extending through December 2032 to support agency missions across multiple operational directorates. Contracting rules allow task orders to proceed across this multi-year schedule.

NASA manages the program.

Directorates supported across agency operations

Payloads assigned under the contract will support internal scientific and exploration priorities as well as missions for external partner institutions. Four principal bodies access launch capacity through the agreement:

• Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate
• Science Mission Directorate
• Research and Technology Mission Directorate
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Program oversight based at Kennedy Space Center

Management of the NLS II contracts rests with the Launch Services Program Office situated at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Agency personnel Joshua Finch and Jimi Russell oversee headquarters communications in Washington, while Amanda Griffin coordinates launch center communications in Florida. External government partners such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration coordinate their flight requirements directly through this Florida-based office.