# Relativity Space

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/relativity-space  
**Vertical:** Aerospace & Defense  
**Subcategory:** Commercial Launch Vehicles  
**Tier:** Challenger  
**Website:** relativityspace.com  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

Relativity Space is building the world's first fully 3D-printed rocket, using autonomous robotic manufacturing to reduce production time from years to 60 days. HQ: Long Beach, CA.

## Company Overview

Relativity Space is an aerospace company pioneering a new approach to rocket manufacturing through large-scale 3D printing and autonomous robotics, with the goal of building a fully vertically integrated launch company that can design, manufacture, and launch rockets at a fraction of traditional cost and time. Founded in 2015 by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone, former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineers, Relativity uses its proprietary Stargate metal 3D printing system — the world's largest metal 3D printer — to fabricate rocket structures from aluminum alloy, reducing part counts from 100,000+ (traditional rockets) to under 1,000.

Relativity's first rocket, Terran 1, was the world's first fully 3D-printed rocket to attempt orbital launch. In March 2023, Terran 1 successfully lifted off but failed to reach orbit due to an issue with the upper stage ignition. Despite not achieving orbit, the launch demonstrated the viability of 3D-printed rocket structures in the extreme environment of launch. The company has since pivoted its focus to its larger vehicle, Terran R — a fully reusable rocket comparable in size to SpaceX's Falcon 9, targeting the rapidly growing commercial and government satellite launch market.

Relativity has raised over $1.3 billion from investors including Tiger Global, Fidelity, and Starwood Energy, valuing the company at $4.2 billion. The company's manufacturing model — capable of producing a rocket in 60 days compared to the 18–24 months required by traditional rocket makers — represents a potentially transformational advantage for launch providers needing to scale production rapidly. With Terran R's reusability economics potentially approaching SpaceX's Falcon 9, Relativity is positioning for the multi-billion-dollar commercial launch market.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does Relativity Space do?
Relativity Space builds 3D-printed rockets using autonomous metal 3D printing technology. Its Stargate printers fabricate rocket structures from aluminum alloy, reducing part counts from 100,000+ to under 1,000 and cutting production time from years to 60 days.

### What happened with Terran 1?
Terran 1 launched in March 2023 as the world's first fully 3D-printed rocket attempt. It successfully lifted off and its first stage performed well, but the rocket failed to reach orbit due to an upper stage issue. The flight demonstrated the viability of 3D-printed structures in launch environments.

### What is Terran R?
Terran R is Relativity's fully reusable medium-lift rocket, comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9 in size and capability, designed for the commercial satellite launch market. Reusability and 3D-printed manufacturing are expected to deliver highly competitive launch prices.

### Who has invested in Relativity Space?
Relativity Space has raised $1.3B+ from Tiger Global, Fidelity, Mark Cuban, Starwood Energy, and others — a $4.2B valuation reflecting confidence in its manufacturing-first approach to disrupting the global launch industry.

### What is Relativity Space's additive manufacturing approach to rocketry?
Relativity Space uses a proprietary large-scale metal 3D printing process called Stargate to manufacture its rockets. The company prints the vast majority of rocket components using aluminum alloys, dramatically reducing the number of parts compared to traditionally manufactured rockets and enabling faster iteration from design to flight.

### What is the status of Relativity Space's Terran R rocket program?
After its Terran 1 vehicle became the first 3D-printed rocket to reach space in 2023, Relativity Space pivoted to focus entirely on the fully reusable Terran R rocket. Terran R is a medium-to-heavy lift vehicle designed to compete in the reusable launch market alongside SpaceX Falcon 9, with its first launch targeted for the mid-2020s.

### Who are Relativity Space's investors and launch customers?
Relativity Space has raised over $1.3 billion from investors including Tiger Global, Fidelity, and others. Launch customers have included commercial satellite operators and government agencies. Following its pivot to Terran R, the company is rebuilding its manifest with customers suited to the larger vehicle's capabilities.

### How does Relativity Space's manufacturing compare to traditional rocket production timelines?
Traditional rockets can take years to manufacture with thousands of suppliers. Relativity Space claims its 3D printing approach can produce a rocket in 60 days with significantly fewer parts and a more vertically integrated supply chain. This speed advantage could dramatically reduce launch costs and enable faster vehicle iteration compared to conventional manufacturing.

## Tags

b2b, hardware, manufacturing

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*