Long Beach's Future In Space / A Continuing Series
Long Beach Firm "Relativity" -- That Aims To Create World's First Printed Launch Vehicle -- Awarded Defense Dept. Contract
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(March 17, 2021, 6:55 p.m.) -- A Long Beach based space-related firm, Relativity (which aims to produce the world's first 3D-printed launch vehicle) has been awarded an orbital launch contract by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD),
In a release, the firm says the contract "was awarded as a Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Launch Enterprise follow-up effort to the DoD Space Test Program (STP) Rapid Agile Launch Initiative (RALI) to identify capable commercial solutions for low-cost, responsive access to space “as a service” using launch systems with capacity between 450-1,200 kg to low-Earth orbit (LEO).
Relativity’s entirely 3D-printed launch vehicle, Terran 1, meets the DoD’s needs for disruptive launch solutions to orbit," the company release says,
[Relativity release text] DIU works to strengthen America’s national security by accelerating the adoption of leading commercial technology and giving innovative American businesses the opportunity to solve high-impact national security problems. This mission aligns with Relativity's ambitions to revolutionize how rockets are designed, built, and flown with the world’s first entirely 3D-printed rocket.
"It is an honor to continue to serve the U.S. Government and build upon our nation’s leading abilities in space with Relativity’s first DoD satellite launch contract award. The Defense Innovation Unit is a group whose innovative approach aligns with the work we are doing at Relativity to revolutionize the future of aerospace," said Tim Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Relativity. "I'm excited for what our teams will accomplish together as we look forward to launching our first DoD payload set."
This agreement represents the ninth announced launch customer for Relativity and the third announced government customer, following the recently announced Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract with NASA.
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Relativity says it's building "humanity’s multiplanetary future. We invented a new approach to design, build, and fly our own rockets, starting with Terran 1 -- the world’s first entirely 3D-printed rocket.
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Relativity's website states:
Relativity's HQ and factory are at 3500 E. Burnett (just east of Redondo Ave., south of Willow St.) in Long Beach. "With 120,000 sq. ft., our brand new headquarters and expanded factory will host both the company’s business operations and an unprecedented manufacturing facility, integrating machine learning, software, and robotics with metal additive manufacturing technology to produce Terran 1, the world’s first 3D printed rocket."
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LBREPORT.com has devoted a special section to Long Beach's Future in Space / A Continuing Series on our front page, reporting developments by LB's growing space-related firms. LBREPORT.com has closely followed developments by Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit (satellite launch firms) both HQ'd in ELB's Douglas Park. This link includes an overview of LB space related firms and previous coverage
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Relativity's website states:
[All caps in original] ROCKETS BUILT AND FLOWN IN DAYS INSTEAD OF YEARS TO BUILD THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY IN SPACE
Relativity is building the first autonomous rocket factory and launch services for satellites.
We are disrupting 60 years of aerospace.
Reliability: 100x Fewer Parts
Speed: 10x Faster Production Time
Flexibility: No Fixed Tooling and a Simple Supply Chain
Optimization: Compounding Iteration Quality and Time Improvements
[Relativity website text] As a vertically integrated technology platform, Relativity is at the forefront of an inevitable shift toward software-defined manufacturing. By fusing 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robotics, we are pioneering the factory of the future. Disrupting 60 years of aerospace, Relativity offers a radically simplified supply chain, building a rocket with 100x fewer parts in less than 60 days.
We believe in a future where interplanetary life fundamentally expands the possibilities for human experience. Our long-term vision is to upgrade humanity’s industrial base on Earth and on Mars.
Relativity Space is backed by leading investors including Baillie Gifford, BOND, Fidelity, General Catalyst, ICONIQ Capital, K5 Global, Mark Cuban, Playground Global, Social Capital, Tiger Global, Tribe Capital, Y Combinator, and 3L...
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