Wikipedia

Relativity Space

(Redirected from Aeon 1)

Relativity Space Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturing company headquartered in Long Beach, California.[3] Relativity Space is developing launch vehicles, rocket engines, and manufacturing technologies for commercial orbital launch services.[4] As of March 2025, Relativity has announced plans to launch its in-development launch vehicle Terran R for the first time in late 2026.[5]

Relativity Space Inc.
Company type
Private
Industry
Founded2015; 11 years ago (2015)[1]
Founders
Headquarters
Long Beach, California, US
Key people
Products
ServicesOrbital launch
Number of employees
2,000 (2026)[2]
Websiterelativityspace.com

History

edit

Founding and funding

edit

Relativity Space was founded in 2015 by CEO Tim Ellis and CTO Jordan Noone.[6] It was founded to develop and manufacture small-lift rockets capable of carrying satellites into orbit, before pivoting to developing medium-to-heavy lift rockets to meet market demands.[7]

In November 2020, Relativity Space announced its US$500 million Series D funding at a calculated $2.3 billion valuation.[8] In June 2021 Relativity announced another $650 million funding round led by Fidelity Investments at a valuation of $4.2 billion, bringing its total funding to $1.335 billion.[9] The funding will help the development of a partially reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, the Terran R, targeting a first orbital launch no earlier than 2026.[10] Relativity Space has investors including Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, BOND, Coatue, Fidelity, General Catalyst, ICONIQ Capital, K5 Global, Mark Cuban, Playground Global, Social Capital, Tiger Global, Tribe Capital, and Y Combinator among others.[11]

In March 2025, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt replaced Ellis as CEO of Relativity Space, taking a controlling interest in the company.[7][12] At this point in time, the company had a contract backlog of over $2.9 billion for Terran R.[13]

Development history

edit

The company's initial attempt to launch its first rocket, named Terran 1, on March 8, 2023 was scrubbed due to technical issues, with a second attempt anticipated for March 11, 2023, which was also scrubbed.[14][15] On March 23, 2023, Relativity launched its first Terran 1 flight, naming it "Good Luck, Have Fun" and carrying no payload.[16] It achieved its primary mission objective to reach the area of maximum aerodynamic pressure (max-q),[17] but experienced an anomaly during stage two burn and failed to reach orbit.[18][19]

In April 2023, Relativity Space announced it would retire the smaller vehicle to concentrate on its larger, reusable Terran R launch system.[20] The heavier‑lift, partially reusable system is capable of serving satellite constellation and commercial launch markets.[21]

Facilities

edit

Headquarters

edit

Relativity Space announced a new 11,000 m2 (120,000 sq ft) Long Beach, California headquarters and factory in February 2020.[22] Terran 1 was manufactured at this location, which houses additive manufacturing, research and development facilities.[23] A new 93,000-square-metre (1,000,000 sq ft) factory was announced in 2021, with Relativity taking over the former Boeing C-17 production plant in 2022 to begin production of its Terran R reusable launch vehicle.[24]

By 2025, the Long Beach facility had become the central hub for Terran R design, manufacturing, and component testing. The facility houses testing infrastructure for the Terran R development program, such as structural test stands where primary rocket structures have undergone multi‑week static and dynamic load campaigns.[25] The facility includes auxiliary test areas for early component verification, including cryogenic test zones and environmental test environments designed to simulate launch conditions through vibration, thermal, and pressure assessments.[26]

Stennis Space Center

edit
E Test Complex (foreground) at the Stennis Space Center, where Relativity conducts Aeon 1 test firings[8]

Relativity is the largest commercial tenant of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi,[27] with over 300 acres of testing infrastructure.[28] The space center was established in the 1960s, and supported the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Constellation programs.[29] In recent years, the center has become a hub for commercial space companies.[27]

In March 2018, Relativity Space signed a 20-year lease at the Stennis Space Center to test engine components and eventually full-scale test their fully integrated rocket engines.[3][8] In June 2019, Relativity Space expanded their work with the Stennis Space Center to include exclusive use of 20,000 m2 (220,000 sq ft) within Building 9101.[30] In mid-2019, Relativity Space planned to create 200 jobs and invest $59 million in Mississippi over the course of this nine-year lease, which carries an option to extend for another 10 years.[30] In late 2023, the company expanded its presence at the site with an agreement to lease the A-2 test stand in order to perform vertical stage testing on Terran R. Upgrades to the stand will increase thrust capacity from its original 650,000 lb to over 3.3 million lb, enabling more powerful stage tests and accelerated test cycles.[31]

Test Stand/Complex Activation/Agreement Primary Use Programs Supported
R Complex[32] Construction announced 2022; second bay activated 2025 Dual-bay engine test facility enabling parallel engine tests Terran R (Aeon R / Aeon V)
A-2 Test Stand[33] Lease signed September 2023 High-thrust vertical stage testing Terran R
E-1 Test Stand (cell)[34] 2022 agreement for test cell access Thrust-chamber assembly and component hot fire tests Terran R (Aeon R)
E-2 Test Complex (cells 1-2)[35] 2019-2020 operational expansion Engine testing and component development Terran 1, Terran R (Aeon 1, Aeon 1, Aeon R components)
E-3 Test Stand[36] 2016 partnership with NASA[37] Early development testing Terran 1 (Aeon 1)
E-4 Test Complex[38] 2018 exclusive-use agreement Engine and stage testing during early development Terran 1 (Aeon 1)

Cape Canaveral LC-16

edit

In January 2019, Relativity Space announced that it won a competitive bidding process with the United States Air Force to build and operate Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.[39] LC-16 has historical significance having been previously used by the US military to launch Titan and Pershing ballistic missiles.[39]

As of 2026, LC‑16 is undergoing significant upgrades to support Terran R, including construction of a horizontal integration facility, installation of propellant tank farms and water deluge systems, a flame diverter trench, and groundwork for additional pad support structures.[40]

Vandenberg Space Force Base Building 330

edit

In 2020, Relativity Space announced plans to develop a second launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to launch payloads into polar orbits and Sun-synchronous orbits.[41]

Products

edit

Launch vehicles

edit

Terran R

edit

Terran R is a heavy-lift two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle that is currently under development. Compared to the smaller, expendable Terran 1, it is partially constructed using the same 3D printing technologies, but has moved away from additive manufacturing for several components, such as the fuel tanks. Additionally, Relativity has utilized outside suppliers for some components, such as fuel tank domes and fairings.[42] The Terran R is substantially larger than the Terran 1, with a maximum payload capacity of 33,500 kg (73,900 lb) to low Earth orbit when expended. When re-using the booster stage, the payload is projected to be 23,500 kg (51,800 lb) to a 200 km (120 mi) low-earth orbit and 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit. This capacity represents a larger payload mass than Falcon 9, but smaller than Blue Origin's New Glenn. The first launch is expected to take place no earlier than 2026.[10] The first stage will use 13 Aeon R gas generator cycle engines that use liquid oxygen and methane propellant. Nine of the engines are capable of gimbaling and four are fixed. The second stage will use an upgraded Aeon V engine, which is also a gas generator cycle engine using liquid oxygen and methane.[42]

Terran R’s architecture is designed to support first‑stage reusability. Following stage separation, the booster performs a flip maneuver using cold-gas reaction control thrusters before igniting engines for an entry burn to reduce velocity and heating during atmospheric reentry. Grid fins provide aerodynamic control during descent, after which the stage performs a landing burn and deploys its landing legs prior to touchdown on a downrange recovery ship. Recovered stages are then inspected, refurbished, and prepared for subsequent flights.[43][44] The vehicle’s design incorporates iterative reusability blocks, with initial flights focused on engineering validation and later configurations aimed at increasing reuse cadence.[45][46]

As of early 2026, all primary structures flight hardware were in integration and engine acceptance testing was underway following engine qualification. Hardware for future flights is also being manufactured.[47]

Terran 1

edit

Terran 1 was an expendable launch vehicle that consisted of two stages. The first stage used nine Aeon 1 engines, while the second stage used a single vacuum-optimized Aeon 1 engine. It was designed to launch a maximum payload of 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) to 185 km (115 mi) low Earth orbit (LEO), normal payload of 900 kg (2,000 lb) to 500 km (310 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), and high-altitude payload of 700 kg (1,500 lb) to 1,200 km (750 mi) SSO. Relativity's advertised launch price was $12 million per Terran 1 mission in June 2020.[41] Relativity conducted the first launch of Terran 1 on March 23, 2023 (UTC) after two scrubbed launch attempts.[48]

The mission's primary objective was to pass through the area of maximum aerodynamic pressure (max-q), the period of flight where the rocket experiences the greatest amount of aerodynamic forces as it climbs through the atmosphere. Terran 1 passed through max-q at T+1 minute and 20 seconds.[17] Soon after launch, an anomaly occurred with the upper stage engine which prevented the rocket from achieving orbit. The second stage engine and nosecone splashed into the ocean about 4 minutes into the flight.[19] The Terran 1 rocket was retired after this maiden flight, as the company shifted to producing larger rockets.[20]

Rocket engines

edit

Aeon R

edit

The Aeon R engine is a high pressure gas generator cycle LOX/subcooled Methane propellants engine[49] designed to produce 269,000 lbf (1,200 kN) of thrust at sea level. 13 Aeon R engines will power the first stage of Terran R with a combined liftoff thrust of 3,497,000 lbf (15,560 kN). A second stage variant, Aeon V, will power Terran R’s second stage with 323,000 lbf (1,440 kN) in a vacuum.[49]

A major test of the Aeon R engine took place in December 2023, when the engine ran its first mission duty cycle at partial power.[50] In May 2024, the Aeon R engine ran a full power mission duty cycle. The engine was qualified in July 2025 and flight builds and acceptance testing is ongoing as of March 2026.[51] To date, Aeon R engines have completed more than 300 hot fire tests.[52] Aeon V development testing is ongoing as of February 2026.[53]

Aeon 1

edit

The Aeon 1 rocket engine was designed to produce 23,000 pounds-force (100,000 N) at sea level and 25,400 pounds-force (113,000 N) in a vacuum. The engine was powered by liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX). It is made out of a proprietary 3D-printed alloy. (GRCop[54] ) It was printed by selective laser sintering and assembled from fewer than 100 parts.[55] By February 2022, Relativity Space had completed 500+ test firings of its Aeon 1 engine,[56] using the E-3 test facility at NASA's Stennis Space Center.[8]

The vacuum-optimized version of Aeon 1, known as AeonVac, powered the second stage of Relativity's rockets.[57][58]

Other divisions

edit

The company initially developed 3D printing technologies for rocket primary structures,[59] and continues to use 3D printing for engine components.[60] In 2025, Relativity announced the creation of Horizon Manufacturing Technologies to develop additive manufacturing for other industrial applications.[61] That year, Relativity also created Dark Matter Lab for deep-tech prototyping.[61]

Launch contracts

edit

As of 2020, Relativity Space had pre-sold more launches than any other company in the private space industry since SpaceX.[62]It sold launches to Telesat,[63] Mu Space,[64] Spaceflight Industries,[65] Momentus Space,[66] Iridium,[62][67] and Lockheed Martin.[68]

Relativity Space has secured multiple launch contracts for its Terran R reusable launch vehicle ahead of its planned debut. In June 2022, Relativity signed a multi‑year, multi‑launch agreement with OneWeb to deploy the second‑generation satellite constellation, marking one of the earliest confirmed Terran R customers.[69][70] In October 2023, satellite operator Intelsat agreed to a multi‑launch services agreement with Relativity for Terran R missions. In November 2025 SES expanded its multi‑year, multi‑launch agreement with Relativity, adding previously unannounced Terran R missions to its portfolio.[71] This brought the company's total commercial backlog to $2.9 billion.[72]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ "Accelerating the future of space, faster". Relativity Space. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Expanding Possibility Beyond Earth". Relativity Space. Retrieved 12 June 2026. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  3. 1 2 Eric Berger (21 March 2018). "Relativity Space reveals its ambitions with big NASA deal". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Shieber, Jonathan (11 September 2019). "Relativity Space signs the satellite transportation company Momentus as a new customer". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  5. ↑ Foust, Jeff (10 March 2025). "Relativity names Eric Schmidt as CEO as it updates Terran R development". SpaceNews. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Berger, Eric (3 March 2020). "Relativity Space has big dreams. Is the company for real?". Ars Technica. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 Isaac, Mike; Chang, Kenneth (10 March 2025). "Eric Schmidt Joins Relativity Space, a Rocket Start-Up, as C.E.O." The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Sheetz, Michael (23 November 2020). "Relativity Space adds $500 million to 'war chest' for scaling production of 3D-printed rockets". CNBC. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Relativity Space launches its valuation to $4.2B with $650M in new funding". TechCrunch. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  10. 1 2 Berger, Eric (12 April 2023). "Relativity Space is moving on from the Terran 1 rocket to something much bigger". Ars Technica. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Robert (10 April 2022). "Relativity Space takes a high tech approach to space manufacturing". PreIPOSwap.com. Crediblock.com. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  12. ↑ Berger, Eric (10 March 2025). "Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the new leader of Relativity Space". Ars Technica. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  13. ↑ Foust, Jeff (10 March 2025). "Relativity names Eric Schmidt as CEO as it updates Terran R development". Space News.
  14. ↑ "What to know about Relativity's second attempt at launching 3D-printed rocket from Florida". Florida Today. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  15. ↑ "Relativity Space Announces Terran 1 Launch Date via Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  16. ↑ Kordina, Florian (5 March 2023). "Good Luck, Have Fun | Terran 1". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  17. 1 2 Iemole, Anthony (23 March 2023). "Relativity overachieves Terran 1 debut objectives". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Knapp, Alex. "Relativity Space Launches Its First 3D-Printed Rocket, But Fails To Reach Orbit". Forbes. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  19. 1 2 Whang, Oliver (23 March 2023). "The First 3-D Printed Rocket Fails Shortly After Launch". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  20. 1 2 Sheetz, Michael (12 April 2023). "Relativity goes 'all in' on larger reusable rocket, shifting 3D-printing approach after first launch". CNBC. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Berger, Eric (10 March 2025). "Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the new leader of Relativity Space". Ars Technica. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Foust, Jeff (28 February 2020). "Relativity to move headquarters to Long Beach". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  23. ↑ Richardson, Brandon (23 March 2023). "World's 1st 3D-printed rocket, made in Long Beach, shows proof of concept in historic mission". Long Beach Business Journal. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (30 June 2021). "3D printer Relativity Space is expanding, with giant new facility to build reusable rockets". CNBC. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  25. ↑ Davenport, Justin (22 October 2025). "Relativity completes Terran R thrust section, continues testing ahead of first launch". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  26. ↑ "Relativity Space". Space Voyage Ventures. 24 August 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  27. 1 2 "NASA Stennis Provides Ideal Location for Range of Site Tenants - NASA". 9 September 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  28. ↑ Wright, Ian (12 September 2023). "Move Over SpaceX: Relativity Space Now the Largest Commercial Presence at NASA Stennis". Engineering.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "NASA Stennis Inks Expanded Test Complex Agreement with Relativity Space". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  30. 1 2 Annlee, Ellingson (11 June 2019). "Relativity to build 3D rocket factory in Mississippi". L.A. Biz. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  31. ↑ Foust, Jeff (7 September 2023). "Relativity Space expands presence at NASA's Stennis Space Center". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  32. ↑ "Relativity Space Announces Plans to Expand Facilities at NASA's Stennis Space Center - NASA". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  33. ↑ "NASA Stennis Inks Expanded Test Complex Agreement with Relativity Space - NASA". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  34. ↑ "New Agreement with NASA Puts Relativity Space on Path to Operate One of America's Largest Rocket Engine Test Facilities". Relativity Space. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  35. ↑ "New Agreement with NASA Puts Relativity Space on Path to Operate One of America's Largest Rocket Engine Test Facilities". Relativity Space. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  36. ↑ "Relativity Space Plans Expanded Operations at Stennis" (PDF). Lagniappe, John C. Stennis Space Center. November 2022. pp. 9–10.
  37. ↑ Patterson, Ken (9 June 2020). "Relativity increasing presence at Stennis Space Center". Mississippi Development Authority. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  38. ↑ "Stennis Chronology: 2010s - NASA". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  39. 1 2 Grush, Loren (17 January 2019). "Aerospace startup making 3D-printed rockets now has a launch site at America's busiest spaceport". The Verge. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  40. ↑ Davenport, Justin (25 September 2025). "SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke, and others make major progress on Cape launch facilities". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  41. 1 2 "Relativity books up to six launches for Iridium, reveals plans for Vandenberg pad". Spaceflight Now. 24 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  42. 1 2 "Terran R Program Update 2025". YouTube. Relativity Space. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  43. ↑ Bullock, David (13 April 2023). "Relativity Space Shares Updated Go-to-Market Approach for Terran R". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  44. ↑ "Relativity Space focusses on Terran R additively manufactured rocket". Metal Additive Manufacturing. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  45. ↑ Sher, Davide (11 March 2025). "Relativity shares major update on Terran R". VoxelMatters. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  46. ↑ Rosenstein, Sawyer (11 March 2025). "Relativity Space makes significant progress on Terran R; flight hardware in production". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  47. ↑ Rosenstein, Sawyer (11 March 2025). "Relativity Space makes significant progress on Terran R; flight hardware in production". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "3-D printed rocket Terran 1: New launch date set". WESH. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  49. 1 2 "Relativity Space - Terran R". Relativity Space.
  50. ↑ Clark, Stephen (15 December 2023). "Rocket Report: Signs of life from Blue Origin; SpaceX preps next Starship". Ars Technica. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  51. ↑ "Aeon R Progress". Relativity Space. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  52. ↑ Clark, Stephen (2026-01-07). "Here are the launches and landings we're most excited about in 2026". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2026-6-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  53. ↑ "December 2025 Company Update". Relativity Space. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  54. ↑ "Innovative NASA alloy used for 3D printed rocket". Space Daily.
  55. ↑ TMRO:Space - Relativity: How to print a rocket on Earth and Mars - Orbit 11.19 on YouTube
  56. ↑ "Relativity Space". Relativity Space. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  57. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (25 February 2021). "Relativity Space unveils a reusable, 3D-printed rocket to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9". CNBC. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  58. ↑ "Rockets". Relativity Space. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  59. ↑ Foust, Jeff (5 December 2017). "Relativity Space aims to 3D print entire launch vehicles". SpaceNews. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  60. ↑ Mosher, Dave (22 October 2018). "Defectors from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Tesla are developing a remarkable technology called 'Stargate' to help colonize other planets". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  61. 1 2 Foust, Jeff (13 November 2025). "SES expands launch contract with Relativity Space". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  62. 1 2 Coldewey, Devin (24 June 2020). "Relativity Space gains new customer in Iridium and new launch site at Vandenberg". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  63. ↑ Berger, Eric (5 April 2019). "Relativity Space announces first launch contract, and it's a big one". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  64. ↑ Howell, Elizabeth (23 April 2019). "A 3D-Printed Rocket Will Launch A Thai Satellite Into Space". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  65. ↑ Foust, Jeff (6 May 2019). "Spaceflight signs contract with Relativity for launches". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  66. ↑ "Relativity Space Signs Launch Services Agreement for Multiple Launches with Momentus on Terran 1, World's First 3D Printed Rocket". businesswire.com. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  67. ↑ Machi, Vivienne (24 June 2020). "Relativity Space Signs Launch Contract with Iridium, Plans West Coast Launch Site". Satellite Today. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  68. ↑ "Cryogenic fluid management is a key "tipping point" technology to get humans to the Moon, Mars and Beyond". Lockheed Martin. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  69. ↑ "OneWeb to launch second-generation satellites with Relativity Space". July 2022.
  70. ↑ Alamalhodaei, Aria (30 June 2022). "Relativity Space inks deal with OneWeb, reaches $1.2B in Terran R launch contracts". Tech Crunch.com. Tech Crunch. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  71. ↑ Foust, Jeff (13 November 2025). "SES expands launch contract with Relativity Space". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  72. ↑ Foust, Jeff (10 March 2025). "Relativity names Eric Schmidt as CEO as it updates Terran R development". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Relativity_Space&oldid=1359057604#Aeon_1"