Relativity Space

Relativity Space

Launch services for 3D-printed rockets

About Relativity Space

Simplify's Rating
Why Relativity Space is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Robotics & Automation

Hardware

Industrial & Manufacturing

Aerospace

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$2.2B

Headquarters

Long Beach, California

Founded

2016

Overview

Relativity Space focuses on designing and manufacturing rockets through large-scale 3D printing and autonomous processes to offer launch services for satellites and other payloads. Its flagship Terran R is a reusable, medium-to-heavy lift rocket intended to deliver payloads to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The company uses additive manufacturing to simplify rocket design, reduce production time and costs, and relies on patented technologies to enable more autonomous production and integration. Revenue comes from launching customer payloads; in March 2023 it launched Terran 1, demonstrating the viability of its 3D-printed rocket approach.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Eric Schmidt invests $800M, grows team to 2,000 experts since 2025.
  • SES expands multi-launch agreement for Terran R satellite missions.
  • $3B launch contracts secured with over dozen customers pre-Terran R debut.

What critics are saying

  • Pivot to traditional manufacturing loses 3D printing edge to SpaceX.
  • Heavy hiring accelerates cash burn if 2026 Terran R flight delays.
  • Texas manufacturing move disrupts supply chain and delays SES contracts.

What makes Relativity Space unique

  • Terran R advances to 54% design maturity after 30 CDRs in March-April 2025.
  • Thrust structure manufacturing completes with max Q testing underway in August 2025.
  • Aeon V vacuum engine hot fire tests succeed at NASA Stennis in August 2025.

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Funding

Total Funding

$2.2B

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

8 Rounds

Growth Equity VC funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Growth Equity VC Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Health, dental & vision coverage

Wellness stipend

401(k)

Equity

11 company holidays

Generous PTO policy

Monthly lunches, game nights, & offsite events

Parental leave

Annual learning stipend

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

0%
Bloomberg
Dec 19th, 2025
Billionaires Face New Pressure From California Tax Proposals

A candidate for California governor has made taxing the rich a center piece of his campaign.

IndexBox
Dec 17th, 2025
Eric Schmidt brings $800M to Relativity Space, pivots from 3D printing to traditional rockets

Relativity Space, the rocket maker founded by Tim Ellis, is abandoning its 3D printing vision and pivoting to traditional rocket manufacturing after burning through over $1 billion. The company has secured nearly $800 million in fresh funding from new CEO Eric Schmidt, the former Google chief who took over earlier this year. Schmidt, whose fortune is estimated at $52 billion, is raising capital at a valuation exceeding $1 billion—down from the company's $4 billion peak in 2021. He has hired hundreds of staff with above-market compensation and plans to use Relativity to establish data centres in space, competing with SpaceX's similar initiative. The shift follows development setbacks that alienated investors. The move comes as commercial space investment surges, though numerous startups including Virgin Orbit have failed.

ExecutiveBiz
Nov 13th, 2025
SES Extends Multi-Launch Agreement With Relativity Space

SES extends multi-launch agreement with Relativity Space. SES and Relativity Space have expanded their multi-year, multi-launch services agreement to launch new SES satellites aboard Relativity's Terran R rocket. What is the new agreement between SES & Relativity about? Under the partnership, Relativity's medium-to-heavy-lift reusable launch vehicle will be used to lift off SES spacecraft to their final orbital positions, the satellite operator said Wednesday, noting that the extended agreement includes previously unannounced SES missions. Terran R will deliver high performance and reliable and cost-effective access to space required for such missions, the company added. The rocket's maiden flight is slated for late 2026, launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida. What did SES & Relativity Space ceos say about the extended agreement? "SES is committed to working with an ecosystem of 'new space' innovators to evolve our network," said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh. "Deepening our collaboration with Relativity Space and Terran R demonstrates that commitment - pairing reusable, medium to heavy lift capability with SES's multi-orbit vision to deliver more capacity, more quickly, and with greater resilience for years to come." Emphasizing the strategic vision driving the partnership, Eric Schmidt, CEO of Relativity Space, said "broad access to orbit enables the breakthroughs that will shape our future. From global connectivity to scientific discovery, these launches with SES represent part of a larger effort to drive innovation and push the boundaries of the possible."

Ars Technica
May 5th, 2025
Eric Schmidt apparently bought Relativity Space to put data centers in orbit

“Gives you a sense of how big this crisis is.”…

VoxelMatters
Mar 16th, 2025
Retired Google CEO Eric Schmidt becomes CEO of Relativity Space

Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, has officially stepped in as the new CEO of Relativity Space.

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