Relativity Space has been awarded its first orbital launch contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), facilitated by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

This 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.

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.

Relativity Space
Relativity is 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.

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.

Related Links
Relativity
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

France runs satellite war game in European first
Toulouse, France (AFP) March 12, 2021
France on Friday prepared to simulate an attack by a hostile power on one of its satellites in a war game scenario the government said is less outlandishly futuristic than it may seem. President Emmanuel Macron was to watch onsite as his military chiefs started to play out a four-day sequence in which an unnamed space-capable power attacks a nation allied to France, and tries to take out a French communications satellite. Germany, Italy and the US are participating in the AsterX space war game a ... read more

Read more from original source...