Relativity,
the world’s first autonomous rocket factory and launch services leader
for satellite constellations, today announced it signed a Launch
Services Agreement (LSA) with Spaceflight,
the leading satellite rideshare and mission management provider. Under
the LSA, Spaceflight will manifest missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on
Relativity’s Terran 1 rocket, the world’s first and only entirely
3D-printed rocket.
The agreement includes the purchase of a first launch, scheduled for Q3
2021, with options for additional rideshare launches in the future. To
date, Spaceflight has provided rideshare and integration services for
nearly 240 satellites from organizations in 32 countries, using 10
different launch vehicles.
The LSA positions Relativity as a viable launch option for a large
segment of the small satellite, microsat and cubesat launch market. This
is in addition to the company’s solidifying leadership in launching
medium payload class satellite constellations. By combining
Spaceflight’s innovative rapid-response rideshare launch capabilities
and Relativity’s groundbreaking, patented 3D printing technology
platform, the companies will provide greater access, schedule
flexibility, reliability, and offer one of the lowest launch options
available. Relativity’s Terran 1 launcher will also serve small Medium
Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions for
small satellites.
Disrupting 60 years of global aerospace manufacturing, Relativity is
developing the first and only aerospace platform to integrate machine
learning, software, and robotics with metal 3D printing technology to
build and launch rockets in days instead of years. Built from raw
material to launch-ready in less than 60 days and with a payload up to
1250 kilograms, Terran 1 has a unique architecture that can rapidly
change and scale to support each mission’s needs.
“We consistently look for innovative new technologies that provide
flexible, reliable, and low-cost access to space for our customers,”
said Curt Blake, CEO and president of Spaceflight. “Relativity’s
autonomous platform and 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket delivers key
advantages in launching rideshare payloads.”
“With Spaceflight’s leadership in rideshare launch solutions,
state-of-the-art integration infrastructure, and experience, we are
excited to work together to offer industry-defining lead time,
flexibility, and cost for smallsats and cubesats and meaningfully expand
the total launch capacity available through Spaceflight’s offering,”
said Tim Ellis, CEO and cofounder of Relativity. “We look forward to
building the space economy together and supporting disruptive commercial
and government payload missions.”
In the past month, Relativity announced a multi-launch contract with
Telesat, the renowned global satellite operator, to support their LEO
constellation, and a launch contract with mu Space, the innovative Thai
satellite and space technology company, to launch their first LEO
satellite. The LSA with Spaceflight will enable Relatively to accelerate
the growth of customer manifests, including leading global satellite
operators, commercial companies, and government payloads. The company is
on track to conduct its first orbital test launch at the end of 2020 and
enter commercial service in 2021.
Relativity is expanding its infrastructure and team this year with a
fourfold increase to more than 350,000 square feet of operations,
production, testing, and launch facilities, as well as an increase from
14 to 83 employees. The company recently became the first venture-backed
company to secure a launch site Right of Entry at Cape Canaveral Launch
Complex-16 from the U.S. Air Force, adding to a portfolio of major
government partnerships, including a 20-year exclusive-use Commercial
Space Launch Act (CSLA) agreement at the NASA Stennis Space Center E4
test complex, and membership on the National Space Council advising the
U.S. White House. Relativity is also securing a polar and Sun
Synchronous Orbit (SSO) capable launch site.
About Relativity
Relativity
is the first autonomous rocket factory and launch services leader for
satellite constellations. The company’s vision is to build the future of
humanity in space — starting with rockets. Disrupting 60 years of
aerospace technology, Relativity’s platform vertically integrates
intelligent robotics and 3D autonomous manufacturing technology to build
the world’s first entirely 3D printed rocket, Terran 1. Terran 1 has
100x lower part count than traditional rockets, a radically simple
supply chain, and will be built from raw material to flight in less than
60 days with unparalleled iteration speed. Relativity deploys and
resupplies satellite constellations with industry-defining lead time,
flexibility, and cost, better connecting and securing our planet.
Relativity is backed by leading investors including Playground Global, Y
Combinator, Social Capital, Phillip Spector formerly of Intelsat, and
Mark Cuban. For more information, please visit https://www.relativityspace.com/.
About Spaceflight
Spaceflight is revolutionizing the business of spaceflight by delivering
a new model for accessing space. A comprehensive launch services and
mission management provider, the company provides a straightforward and
cost-effective suite of products and services including state-of-the-art
satellite infrastructure and rideshare launch offerings that enable
commercial and government entities to achieve their mission goals on
time and on budget. A service offering of Spaceflight Industries in
Seattle, Wash., Spaceflight provides its services through a global
network of partners and launch vehicle providers. For more information,
visit http://www.spaceflight.com.
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