Silicon Valley giants compete for a new 3D printing space race track

Recently, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, will take over as CEO of Relativity Space, marking his first CEO position since leaving Google.
Relativity Space is known for producing rockets using unusual technologies, including 3D printers, automated robots, and artificial intelligence. In 2023, Relativity Space successfully launched the Terran 1 rocket, proving that its 3D printing technology can operate effectively.

When Schmidt joined Relativity Space, the company was preparing to launch the Terran R in 2026. The Terran R is a larger rocket than the startup's previous launches and will compete with Space X's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. According to The Times, in preparation for the first launch of Terran R, Relativity Space has signed nearly $3 billion in launch contracts with customers.

Now, Schmidt will become the CEO of Relativity Space at a critical moment in the company's history. He may provide funding and experience to rocket startups to help guide them through the launch of Terran R. In addition, Schmidt has a considerable network of contacts in Washington D.C., which may help to collaborate with government officials on future launches in relativistic space.

It is worth mentioning that recently Google co-founder Larry Peppa has also been exposed for secretly researching the use of AI 3D printing for airplanes. According to relevant reports, Larry Page funded a startup called Dynamomics, which is dedicated to exploring the use of 3D printing technology to manufacture aircraft components. Insiders revealed that Larry Page and the company's CTO are researching how to use artificial intelligence to optimize manufacturing processes.

Relativity Space, a space technology company headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, has been reconstructing the aerospace manufacturing system with revolutionary 3D printing technology since its establishment in 2015, becoming a new force for innovative development in the global commercial aerospace field. The company has achieved full process automation of rocket component production through its independently developed intelligent robot manufacturing platform, pioneering a new paradigm of "using artificial intelligence to build rockets".

According to publicly available company information, Relativity Space's mission is to accelerate human exploration of the universe and focus on developing reusable 3D printed launch vehicles. Its unique Stargate metal 3D printing system can simplify tens of thousands of traditional rocket components into less than a thousand integral parts, reducing the manufacturing cycle from the industry average of 18 months to 60 days and reducing material waste by over 90%. This disruptive technology provides a cost-effective solution for the global small and medium-sized satellite launch market.

In the milestone launch in March 2023, Relativity Space successfully completed the orbital stage test flight of the world's first fully 3D printed rocket, Terran 1. The rocket is 33.5 meters high and 85% of its structural components are 3D printed from aluminum alloy, verifying the engineering feasibility of additive manufacturing technology in the field of large-sized spacecraft. The company's latest developed "Terran R" heavy-duty reusable rocket has achieved 3D printing manufacturing of 95% of the rocket body components for the first time, with a carrying capacity of 20000 kilograms. It is planned to carry out a Mars exploration material transportation mission in 2026.

It is worth noting that Relativity Space has received over $1.5 billion in orders from agencies such as NASA and has established commercial partnerships with more than 30 satellite companies. Tim Ellis, the founder of the company, said, "We are building an industrial infrastructure from low Earth orbit to the surface of Mars, and plan to establish the first 3D printing manufacturing base on Mars in the next decade
Experts from the International Academy of Astronautics commented that the practice of Relativity Space marks the entry of aerospace manufacturing into the era of digital intelligence, and its technological roadmap has important reference significance for the development of commercial aerospace in China. Currently, more than 20 countries around the world have engaged in technological exchanges with it, and this model of reconstructing the aerospace industry chain through intelligent manufacturing is opening up new possibilities for human deep space exploration.

Source: Yangtze River Delta Laser Alliance