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, which is claimed to be the world’s first entirely 3D-printed rocket. The company also unveiled its plans for Terran R, a fully reusable, 3D-printed rocket capable of launching 20,000 kg to low-Earth orbit, slated to launch in 2026. 

In March 2023, Relativity Space attempted thrice to launch Terran 1 (as a validation mission for Terran R). While both the first and second attempts resulted in failures, Terran 1 was able to achieve launch on the third attempt. However, this was only partially successful, as the rocket missed its intended path of reaching low-Earth orbit. Due to the failures, the company shelved its Terran 1 rocket and refocused its efforts toward Terran R. 

In June 2021, Relativity Space announced the signing of a new 1 million sqft headquarters factory at Goodman Commerce Center, Long Beach, with a 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

Relativity Space 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. 

Relativity Space partnered with Impulse Space in July 2022 to launch Impulse’s Mars Cruise Vehicle and Mars Lander in Terran R from 2024 until 2029. The company also signed a Multi-Launch Agreement with Intelsat in October 2023 to launch Intelsat satellites on Terran R in 2026.