Relativity Space

Overview Relativity Space is a U.S. launch company building orbital rockets and engines with large‑scale metal additive manufacturing. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company integrates design, printing, and assembly in a single, high‑throughput factory and tests engines at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Relativity’s launch operations are based at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida (Launch Complex 16). Launch Vehicles • Terran 1 (retired): A small‑lift, methane/oxygen rocket built primarily with 3D‑printed structures and engines. On March 22, 2023, Terran 1 became the first largely 3D‑printed rocket to reach space on its maiden flight; the second stage did not achieve orbit. The vehicle served as a flight‑test pathfinder and was subsequently retired as the program focus shifted to Terran R. • Terran R (in development): A two‑stage, methane/oxygen, partially reusable launch vehicle designed for medium‑to‑heavy‑lift missions and high‑cadence reflight. Terran R’s first stage uses a cluster of Aeon R engines and is designed for propulsive return and landing; the second stage uses a vacuum‑optimized Aeon engine and is expended. Advertised performance includes up to ~33,500 kg to low Earth orbit in an expendable configuration and, in reusable configurations, up to ~30,000 kg to LEO and ~5,500 kg to GTO (representative mission profiles). Initial flight is targeted for 2026 from LC‑16 at Cape Canaveral. Propulsion • Aeon R: Relativity’s high‑thrust methane/oxygen engine family for Terran R. Development and qualification testing progressed through 2024–2025 with full‑duration hot‑fires, gimbaling tests, and acceptance testing at NASA Stennis. A vacuum variant (Aeon Vac) powers the second stage. • Aeon 1/AEON‑Vac: Methane/oxygen engines developed for Terran 1; flight‑proven on the 2023 mission and retired with the vehicle. Manufacturing and Infrastructure • Additive manufacturing: Relativity’s fourth‑generation Stargate metal 3D printers produce large rocket structures and integrated components, enabling rapid iteration and part‑count reduction. The Long Beach factory complex totals more than one million square feet across design, printing, machining, assembly, and acceptance test areas. • Launch site: Exclusive site agreement at Launch Complex 16 (CCSFS, Florida), undergoing upgrades for Terran R operations including a horizontal integration facility, tank farm, flame diverter, and water‑deluge systems. • Test facilities: Dual‑bay engine stands and related infrastructure at NASA Stennis support high‑rate Aeon R engine testing and qualification. Customers and Programs (selected) • Commercial: Multi‑launch agreements for Terran‑class missions, including an Iridium contract for on‑demand launches of ground‑spare satellites (initially signed for Terran 1) and additional customer reservations for Terran R. • Government: Participation in NASA and U.S. Space Force launch procurement frameworks and technology initiatives; development aligned to national‑security and civil mission requirements for medium‑to‑heavy‑lift access to orbit.