ULA is the nation's most experienced space launch company with more than 150 consecutive launches and a 100% mission success rate.
Created: 2018-11-22
Updated: 2025-09-06
Company - ULA (United Launch Alliance)
Product/Service - ACES
- Classification
- In-Space Transportation
- Category
- Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Commercial Lunar Lander
Space Tug
In-Space Logistics
- Fields
- In-Space Transportation
Transport Service (In-Space)
Transport Service (LEO-GEO)
Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator
- Status
- Concept
- First launch
- Not announced
ACES
Vulcan Centaur
NASA Selects Commercial Service Studies to Enable Mars Robotic Science, 2024-05-01.
- Large payload delivery and hosting services.
- United Launch Services (ULA), LLC, Centennial, Colorado — modify an Earth-vicinity cryogenic upper stage.
NASA Selects Six Companies to Provide Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies, 2025-08-05.
- NASA has selected six companies to produce studies focused on lower-cost ways to launch and deliver spacecraft of various sizes and forms to multiple, difficult-to-reach orbits.
- The firm-fixed-price awards comprise nine studies with a maximum total value of approximately $1.4 million.
- United Launch Alliance will assess the cislunar mission capabilities of an extended-duration Centaur V upper stage. Centaur would be capable of directly delivering multiple rideshare spacecraft to two different orbital destinations in cislunar space, avoiding the need for an additional rocket stage or orbital transfer vehicle.
Inflatable Heat Shield
- United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colorado, $25 million.
- The company will continue to evolve a proven Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) technology design. ULA will develop a larger 10-meter HIAD that leverages a two-piece structure to enable effective load distribution for even larger inflatable decelerators.
- ULA is now working with NASA through a Space Act Agreement on advancing the LOFTID technology.
Notes
Similar Organizations
Argonaut
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Propellant Refilling, Space Mining
Development
Peregrine, Griffin
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander
Development, Launched
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Logistics
Dormant
Rover, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Concept
SERIES-2 Lander
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Rover, Commercial Lunar Lander
Development
Blue Ghost
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander
Demonstrated
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development, Launched
Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation, Resources - Energy, Hardware, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Development
Hyperion
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Early stage
Nova-C, Nova-D
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay
Demonstrated, Launched
HAKUTO-R, Blueprint Moon, Series 1, Series 2
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Lunar Data Analytics
Development, Launched
Beresheet
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Cancelled, Launched
McCandless, MCB
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Human Landing System, Commercial Sample Return
Concept
Space Tug, In-Space Communications Relay, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Early stage
Moon Lander XL-1, Xogdor
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Landing Pads
Acquired, Development
MX-1 SCOUT CLASS EXPLORER, MX-2 SCOUT CLASS EXPLORER, MX-9 FRONTIER CLASS EXPLORER
Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Dormant
LSAS (Lunar Surface Access Service)
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Early stage, ?
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Early stage
ALINA
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant
Zeus, ZeusX
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander
Development, Launched, ?
Ranger
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay, In-Space Manufacturing, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Satellite Life Extension
Development, Launched
Redshift
Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Development
S4-SLV
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation
Dormant, Concept
Modular Transport System (MTS)
Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Concept
Beresheet
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant, Development, Launched
Starship, Starship HLS, Starship Human Landing System
Human Landing System, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Point-to-point
Development, Launched
STRANNIK-1, STRANNIK-2
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Cancelled
Nyx
Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Manufacturing, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (Re-Entry)
Development, Launched
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Concept
OSSIE, LUCAS
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Development
Adventus Interstellar
Pulqui XXI
Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant, Early stage
Peregrine, Griffin
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander
Development, Launched
Integrated Lander Vehicle (ILV), Blue Moon
Human Landing System, Commercial Lunar Lander
Development
SERIES-2 Lander
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Rover, Commercial Lunar Lander
Development
Blue Ghost
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander
Demonstrated
Hardware, Commercial Lunar Lander, Propellant Refilling
Development
Galactic Suite Space Resort
Commercial Space Station, Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant
Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant
Hyperion
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Early stage
LunarStation
Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander
Concept
Nova-C, Nova-D
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay
Demonstrated, Launched
HAKUTO-R, Blueprint Moon, Series 1, Series 2
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Lunar Data Analytics
Development, Launched
Beresheet
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Cancelled, Launched
HSRC (HTV Small Re-entry Capsule), HTV, HTV-X
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Lunar Lander
Demonstrated
Spacediving Suit
Space Suits & Garments, Spacediving, Commercial Lunar Lander, Surface Habitats
Concept, Dormant
McCandless, MCB
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Human Landing System, Commercial Sample Return
Concept
OPLONAS, MACEDONAS
Commercial Lunar Lander, Commercial Lander
Concept
Moon Lander XL-1, Xogdor
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander, Landing Pads
Acquired, Development
LSAS (Lunar Surface Access Service)
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Early stage, ?
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Early stage
ALINA
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant
Audi Quattro Lunar Rover
Commercial Lunar Lander, Commercial Rover
Dormant, Concept
Olympus, Pythom Spaceship
Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (Re-Entry), Commercial Space Station
Early stage
Zeus, ZeusX
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander
Development, Launched, ?
Near Earth Asteroid Prospector (NEAP), Dream Chaser
Commercial Lunar Lander
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Dormant, Acquired
Beresheet
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Dormant, Development, Launched
Argonaut
Lunar Lander
Development
Nyx
Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Manufacturing, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (Re-Entry)
Development, Launched
Nyx Moon
Lunar Lander
Concept
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lunar Lander
Concept
OSSIE, LUCAS
Commercial Lunar Lander, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Development
Zenith 1.0
Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander
Early stage
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Concept
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, Space Tug
Early stage
Astris, Susie
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
NEMO
Space Tug
Early stage
Quark
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Acquired, Launched, Development
Pushpak
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Development
SpaceDrone
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Space Tug, Reusable Satellite, Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite)
Early stage
Blue Ring
Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Persistent Platform, Space Tug, Robotic Space Station, In-Space Logistics, Space Logistics Platform, In-Orbit Computing, In-Space Mobility, In-Space Communications Relay
Development
Square Rocket
Resources - Asteroid Mining, Microgravity Workspaces, Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Cancelled
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Logistics
Dormant
ClearSpace-1
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug, Robotic Arm
Development
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Space Tug
Development
Rover, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Concept
ION, GEA
Space Tug, In-Orbit Computing, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, On-Orbit Servicing
Active
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Development
LOOP
Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Development
Deep Space Industries
Xplorer, Prospector-1
Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Tug, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)
Dormant
Chimera
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, Launched
Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Power Beaming
Early stage
Space Tug
Early stage
Reliant
Space Tug
Development
Space Tug
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Dormant
SpaceVan, spacedrop
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Orbital Transportation
Demonstrated
Elytra, SUV (Space Utility Vehicle)
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing
Development
Orbital Transportation, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Space Tug
Development
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)
Dormant
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Development, Launched
Orbital Transportation, Space Tug
Development
Hyperion
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Commercial Lander, Commercial Lunar Lander, Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Early stage
Hyscab
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Early stage
HyMOVE
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development
Mira, LEO Express, Helios, Caravan
Space Tug, Commercial Lander, Commercial Mars Lander
Demonstrated
Phoenix Orbital Transfer Vehicle
In-Space Manufacturing, Orbital Transportation, Space Tug, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO)
Concept
ARCap Module
On-Orbit Servicing, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Tug, Hardware, Docking
Development
Orbiter
Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO)
Discontinued, Active
Motus
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation
Development, Launched
Space Tug, In-Space Communications Relay, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Early stage
VIA
Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, Hardware, Software
Cancelled, Concept, Pivot
Colibri
Space Tug
Development
Vigoride
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Active, ?
Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV), SL-OMV
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, ?
SUPREME
Hardware, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, ?
Orbital Transportation, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Reusable Satellite, Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development
Satko
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Concept
Space Truck
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Transport Service (Re-Entry), Orbital Transportation
Cancelled, Development
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)
Cancelled
Supernova
Orbital Transportation, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Space Tug
Development
Photon
Space Tug, Commercial Mars Lander, Commercial Sample Return
Demonstrated
IOSHEXA
Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development, ?
AstroLab
Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics
Dormant, Early stage
Meteoroid Complementary Descent Module, ASTREO
Space Tug, Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Logistics
Concept
Space Tug
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)
Development
S4-SLV
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation
Dormant, Concept
Modular Transport System (MTS)
Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Concept
Commercial Space Station, Space Tug, Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power
Dormant
Longbow
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Mass Driver
Development
OT-S, Optimus-1
Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched
Orbital Logistics Vehicle (OLV), m-OLV
In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Lunar Electric Grid, Power Beaming
Development
Smart Drone
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Robotic Arm
Early stage
SHERPA
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Cancelled, Acquired, Active, ?
Black Bay
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Reusable Satellite
Dormant, Bankrupt
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Early stage
STRANNIK-1, STRANNIK-2
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Cancelled
Otter
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Satellite Life Extension, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Hardware
Development, Launched
Start, Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle (CLTV), IMAGIN-e
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, In-Orbit Computing
Development
Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope
Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development
LOLA
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Early stage
XCRAFT
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing
Cancelled, Launched
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, Space Tug
Early stage
Quark
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Acquired, Launched, Development
Blue Ring
Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Persistent Platform, Space Tug, Robotic Space Station, In-Space Logistics, Space Logistics Platform, In-Orbit Computing, In-Space Mobility, In-Space Communications Relay
Development
Space Tug, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Logistics
Dormant
Rover, Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Concept
ION, GEA
Space Tug, In-Orbit Computing, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, On-Orbit Servicing
Active
Chimera
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, Launched
SpaceVan, spacedrop
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Orbital Transportation
Demonstrated
Helicity Drive
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics, Hardware
Early stage
HyMOVE
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development
Retriever, Resource Exchange Module (REX)
Transport Service (Re-Entry), Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite), Persistent Platform, Robotic Space Station, In-Space Logistics
Development
Implement Space Product
In-Space Logistics
Cancelled
Economical Transfer Vehicle (ETV)
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics
Early stage
Vigoride
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Active, ?
Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV), SL-OMV
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, ?
SUPREME
Hardware, Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Development, ?
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Logistics
Concept
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station
Early stage
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Concept
Ranger
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay, In-Space Manufacturing, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Satellite Life Extension
Development, Launched
AstroLab
Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics
Dormant, Early stage
Meteoroid Complementary Descent Module, ASTREO
Space Tug, Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Logistics
Concept
Longbow
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Mass Driver
Development
OT-S, Optimus-1
Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched
SHERPA
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Cancelled, Acquired, Active, ?
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Early stage
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics
Early stage
LOLA
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics
Early stage
XCRAFT
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing
Cancelled, Launched