Relativity Space

Relativity Space is a vertically integrated technology platform engaging in the design, 3D printing, and flying of its own rockets. The company is involved in software-defined manufacturing by combining 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robotics. The startup offers a simplified supply chain, allowing it to build a rocket with 100x fewer parts in less than 2 months. 

The startup invented Terran 1 (claimed to be the world’s first entirely 3D printed rocket), which was slated to launch in 2022. The company also unveiled its plans for Terran R, a fully reusable, 3D-printed rocket capable of launching 20,000kg to low Earth orbit, slated to launch in 2024.  In March 2023, the company attempted thrice to launch Terran 1(as a validation mission for Terran R). While both the first attempt and second attempt resulted in failures, Terran 1 was able to achieve launch in the third attempt. However, this was only partially successful as the rocket missed its intended path of reaching low-earth orbit.

In June 2021, the company announced the signing of a new 1 million sqft headquarters factory at Goodman Commerce Center, Long Beach, with capacity for over 2,000 employees, a metallurgical laboratory, DMLS printers, a mission control center, and dozens of the company’s proprietary Stargate 3D printers, the largest metal 3D printers in the world. In October 2022 , the company unveiled its next generation 3D printing platform–Stargate 4th generation 3D printer–which has a forecasted annual printing capacity of 4 Terran R rockets.

Key customers and partnerships

The company has partnered and signed agreements with several institutions, including Momentus (for multiple launches on Terran 1), Lockheed Martin (launch partner for Lockheed Martin’s NASA Tipping Point Mission), Department of Defense (new responsive launch contract), and NASA (to place CubeSats into low Earth orbit as part of its Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract and launch services for the agency’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare missions).  In October 2022 , the company partnered with NASA’s Stennis Space Center for a major expansion of its rocket and engine testing facilities in Hancock County, Mississippi. 

In October 2023 , Relativity signed a multi-year, multi-launch agreement with Intelsat for the Terran R reusable launch vehicle under development.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in June 2021, the company raised USD 650 million in Series E equity funding led by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC. Other investors included Baillie Gifford, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock and celebrity investors such as Brad Buss, Mark Cuban, Jared Leto, and Spencer Rascoff. Funds were to be used for scaling of the Terran R program and long-term infrastructure development. The company’s post-money valuation stood at USD 4.2 billion.