Relativity Space to Open 1 Million Sq Ft Terran R Factory

Relativity Space Expands Production Capabilities

Following a recent $650 million Series E funding round, Relativity Space, a startup specializing in 3D-printed rockets, is poised to significantly increase its manufacturing capacity. This expansion will be facilitated by the opening of a new, expansive 1 million-square-foot headquarters and factory located in Long Beach, California.

Current and Future Rocket Production

The company’s existing 150,000-square-foot Long Beach facility will continue operations, concentrating on the production of Terran 1. This rocket is designed to carry smaller payloads and is currently the company’s primary focus for initial launches. The newly constructed facility is dedicated to the development and eventual production of Terran R, Relativity’s ambitious heavy-lift, fully-reusable two-stage rocket.

While neither rocket has yet reached orbit, Relativity anticipates launching Terran 1 by the close of 2021 and initiating Terran R launches as early as 2024.

Workforce Expansion Plans

Concurrent with the factory opening, scheduled for January 2022, Relativity intends to substantially grow its workforce. CEO Tim Ellis communicated to TechCrunch that the company aims to onboard at least 200 new employees before the year concludes.

The new facility is designed to accommodate a workforce exceeding 2,000 individuals, suggesting a considerable increase in hiring as both Terran 1 launches and Terran R development progress.

The Potential of Stargate 3D Printers

Relativity’s proprietary Stargate 3D printers are capable of producing both Terran 1 and Terran R rockets. However, their capabilities extend beyond these initial designs. Given that Terran R is intended to be reusable, the need for manufacturing a large number of rockets will be reduced.

This raises the question of how the substantial printing capacity of the new facility will be utilized. Ellis hinted at future possibilities, stating the factory can be upgraded and reconfigured to manufacture other aerospace components as the company expands its offerings.

Future Product Diversification

“Over time, we’ll be able to continually upgrade and reconfigure this factory of the future to be able to build whatever else in aerospace that we’d go into next,” Ellis explained, while remaining discreet about specific future products.

He further noted that the reusability of Terran R will create significant excess printing capacity. “We will actually have a lot of extra print capacity over time… You could imagine what one does, once you have that capability, you just keep diving into the next product to disrupt.”

Facility Features and Capabilities

In addition to the Stargate printers, the facility will house specialized DMLS metal printers, a metallurgical laboratory, a comprehensive machine shop, and a dedicated mission control center.

From the mission control center, engineers and mission operators will monitor and manage launches originating from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Long-Term Lease and Previous Use

Relativity is leasing the facility from Goodman Group for an extended period. Previously, the site was utilized by Boeing for the manufacturing of C-17 military cargo aircraft.