Relativity

NASA selects a dozen companies for smallsat launch services
NASA awarded contracts Jan. 26 to a dozen companies, ranging from industry stalwarts to startups yet to launch their first rocket, to provide low-cost launches of agency smallsats.

Launch companies optimistic about future demand
Launch companies that have suffered from flat or declining traditional markets in recent years say they believe a surge of demand, primarily from satellite megaconstellations, will boost their businesses later this decade.

Small launch vehicles grow up
Why Relativity Space and Rocket Lab are both developing larger rockets that could vie with Falcon 9 and Vulcan Centaur for some classes of payloads.

Relativity to open new headquarters and factory in Long Beach
Relativity Space, the launch vehicle company that has raised more than $1 billion in private capital since late last year, announced it will move into a giant new headquarters and production facility in Southern California.

Relativity raises $650 million round, announces Terran R rocket
Relativity Space announced June 8 it has raised $650 million in a new funding round to support development of a fully reusable launch vehicle far larger than its original Terran 1 rocket.

Launch executives see booming demand despite gloomy forecasts
Launch executives said June 2 that demand for satellite launches likely will surge despite assertions to the contrary.

Relativity Space wins U.S. military contract for 2023 launch
Relativity Space was selected to launch a small U.S. military payload to orbit in 2023 using a 3D-printed rocket.

Ten companies bid for NASA small launch vehicle contract
A NASA small launch vehicle competition attracted bids from 10 companies, but half of them were effectively disqualified because of deficiencies or other problems.

Three companies win NASA small launch contracts
Three small launch vehicle developers won a combined $16.7 million in NASA contracts as part of an effort to support the development of new launch vehicles.

TriSept purchases Relativity launch for rideshare mission
Launch integration company TriSept has purchased a launch from Relativity Space that it plans to use for a smallsat rideshare mission as soon as 2022.

Relativity Space raises $500 million
Small launch vehicle startup Relativity Space has raised a $500 million funding round that the company says will enable it to accelerate its long-term vision of reshaping aerospace manufacturing.

Relativity co-founder steps aside
One of the two co-founders of launch vehicle company Relativity Space is stepping down as the company’s chief technology officer to create a new startup.

Relativity wins Iridium contract, selects West Coast launch site
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity Space has won a contract to launch six Iridium replacement satellites, which it plans to carry out from a new launch site it proposes to develop at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Relativity Space hires SpaceX executive to lead launch vehicle factory development
Relativity Space has hired a longtime SpaceX executive to help the startup scale up production of its small launch vehicle.

Space executive: Government can’t save every startup but can do a lot
Relativity Space VP: “The most impactful thing that government can do is actually go out and buy services from startups."

Spaceflight to launch startups: stop focusing on cool tech
Elizabeth Driscoll, business development director at Spaceflight, said the company is constantly in need of more launch options, but won’t rush to new vehicles without confidence they will deliver.

Relativity to move headquarters to Long Beach
Relativity Space, a startup using 3-D printing to manufacture small launch vehicles, will move its headquarters to Long Beach, joining several other launch vehicle companies in that Southern California city.

SpaceX says rideshare missions will launch on time, even if partly empty
SpaceX plans to launch regular Falcon 9 rideshare missions starting in March and won’t delay launches for tardy customers, a company executive said Oct. 8.

Relativity Space raises $140 million
Small launch vehicle company Relativity Space announced Oct. 1 it has raised a new round of $140 million, a sign of investor confidence despite strong competition and setbacks suffered by other vehicle developers.

Smallsat launch services feel pricing pressure
Companies that provide both dedicated and rideshare launch services for small satellites say that price remains a major factor for their customers, with pressure from growing competition to lower them.