Relativity Space

Overview

Relativity Space is a launch vehicle manufacturer pioneering the use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology to build rockets. Founded in 2015, the company initially developed Terran 1, a small launch vehicle that completed one demonstration flight in March 2023 before the company pivoted to focus exclusively on Terran R, a medium-to-heavy lift partially reusable rocket.

In March 2025, the company underwent a major leadership transition when Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, became CEO and took a significant stake in the company. Under Schmidt's leadership, Relativity has expanded its ambitions beyond launch services to include planetary science missions, announcing in June 2026 a privately funded Mars orbiter mission scheduled for 2028 carrying NASA's Aeolus atmospheric instruments.

The company operates facilities at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for engine testing and Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for launch operations. Relativity's core technological differentiator is its Stargate manufacturing system, which uses large-scale metal 3D printing to produce rocket components with fewer parts and faster iteration cycles than traditional aerospace manufacturing.

Relativity has secured commercial contracts with satellite operator SES and recently gained eligibility to compete for U.S. national security launch contracts through the Space Force's launch services program. The company is targeting late 2026 for Terran R's first flight.

Terran 1

Terran 1 was Relativity's first launch vehicle, a small rocket designed to demonstrate the viability of 3D-printed aerospace structures. The two-stage expendable rocket stood approximately 115 feet tall with a diameter of 7.5 feet. Payload capacity: ~1,250 kg to low Earth orbit. Propulsion: nine Aeon 1 engines on the first stage, one Aeon Vac engine on the second stage, both burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen.

First flight: March 11, 2023 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station LC-16. The mission, named "Good Luck, Have Fun," successfully demonstrated stage separation and reached space but did not achieve orbit due to an anomaly during second-stage burn. Following this single flight, Relativity discontinued Terran 1 development in April 2023 to focus resources on Terran R. Success rate: 0/1 orbital attempts.

Terran R

Terran R is Relativity's medium-to-heavy lift partially reusable launch vehicle currently in development. The rocket is designed with a reusable first stage featuring integrated landing legs and grid fins for powered landings, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 architecture. Payload capacity: up to 20 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO). The vehicle will be powered by Aeon R engines burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen.

Relativity is manufacturing Terran R components using its Stargate 3D printing system and conducting engine testing at NASA Stennis Space Center. Launch infrastructure upgrades are underway at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station LC-16. First flight: targeting late 2026. The rocket has secured multiple commercial contracts with SES for satellite deployment missions and will carry the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System as well as Relativity's privately funded Mars orbiter.

Heritage

2015: Relativity Space founded by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone with a vision to automate rocket manufacturing using 3D printing technology.

2020-2021: Secured major funding rounds totaling over $1 billion, reaching unicorn status with a $4.2 billion valuation.

January 2023: Raised $500 million Series E funding round to accelerate manufacturing capabilities and long-term vision.

March 11, 2023: Launched Terran 1 on its maiden flight from Cape Canaveral LC-16. The mission "Good Luck, Have Fun" successfully achieved stage separation and reached space, becoming the first 3D-printed rocket to reach space, though it failed to achieve orbit due to a second-stage anomaly.

April 2023: Announced discontinuation of Terran 1 program after single flight to concentrate resources on Terran R development.

September 2023: Expanded presence at NASA Stennis Space Center by leasing an Apollo-era test stand for Terran R engine development.

April 2024: Awarded $8.7 million U.S. Air Force contract for additive manufacturing research.

March 2025: Eric Schmidt appointed CEO and made significant investment in the company, marking a major strategic shift.

November 2025: Expanded multi-launch agreement with SES for Terran R missions.

June 2026: Selected by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman for public-private partnership to develop and fly a Mars orbiter mission in 2028 carrying the Aeolus atmospheric instruments.

July 2026: Added to U.S. Space Force's national security launch program, becoming eligible to compete for military satellite launch contracts.

Roadmap

Late 2026: First launch of Terran R from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station LC-16. The inaugural mission will demonstrate the partially reusable rocket's capabilities and validate the company's shift to the medium-to-heavy lift category.

2027-2028: Execute commercial satellite deployment missions under the expanded multi-launch agreement with SES, establishing Terran R's operational cadence and demonstrating reusability economics.

2028: Launch privately funded Mars orbiter mission carrying NASA's Aeolus atmospheric instruments. The spacecraft will conduct atmospheric science and serve as a communications relay, representing Relativity's expansion into planetary mission development beyond pure launch services.

Relativity is also pursuing contracts under the U.S. Space Force's national security launch program following its recent addition to the qualified provider roster, though specific missions have not been publicly announced.

7 articles on Relativity Space published by NovΔ mAInd.

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