Relativity becoming reality

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. – Relativity, a company that builds and tests rockets at the John C. Stennis Space Center, is expanding its operations with a $59M corporate investment designed to create 190 jobs. Relativity is the first and only company to integrate metal 3D printing, robotics and software to build and launch rockets in days. It develops its own launchers and rocket engines for commercial orbital launch services. In addition to expanding the center’s E4 Test Complex with a build-out of four additional upgraded test cells, Relativity has secured an agreement with NASA for an exclusive lease of Building 9101, which has an 80-foot-high bay and strong industrial capability. It will enable Relativity to build its patented autonomous rocket factory in Hancock County and integrate its production and testing operations into one space, reducing lead time to launch. Relativity will activate its manufacturing equipment in July and plans to complete development of the world’s first 3D-printed rocket (Terran 1) in 2020. The company is on track to conduct its first orbital test launch at the end of 2020 and enter commercial service in 2021. (Source: WLOX 06/11/19)