Relativity Space has received its first contract from the Department of Defense to deploy a small military satellite to orbit using the company’s 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket.
The Defense Innovation Unit issued the award as part of the department’s Space Test Program Rapid Agile Launch Initiative, which seeks commercial low-Earth orbit platforms with a payload capacity of between 1,000 pounds to 2,650 pounds, Relativity Space said Monday.
STP RALI is a continuation of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Launch Enterprise program, the company noted.
The DOD deal marks the Los Angeles-based aerospace company’s ninth launch service customer and third government transaction following its selection for NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 program in December.
Relativity Space, which aims to produce one rocket within 60 days, raised $500 million in a Series D funding round that was completed in November and led by Tiger Global Management.
