When was Rocket Lab founded compared to Relativity Space?

Rocket Lab was founded in 2006, and Relativity Space was founded in 2015.

Where are Rocket Lab and Relativity Space headquartered?

Rocket Lab is headquartered in Long Beach; Relativity Space is headquartered in Long Beach.

Head-to-head · 2026

Rocket Lab vs Relativity Space

Small/medium launch incumbent vs the 3D-printed-rocket challenger pivoting to Terran R.

Side by side

Attribute	Rocket Lab	Relativity Space
Founded	2006	2015
Headquarters	Long Beach, United States	Long Beach, United States
Entity type	commercial	commercial
Operational status	public	operational
Stock ticker	RKLB	—
Sectors	launch-services, satellite-manufacturing, spacecraft	launch-services, manufacturing
Vehicle type	small-lift, medium-lift, reusable	small-lift, medium-lift, reusable
Significant people	Peter Beck (Founder, CEO)	Tim Ellis (CEO, Co-founder), Jordan Noone (Co-founder)

What each one does

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a leading aerospace company providing end-to-end space solutions including launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and on-orbit operations. Founded in 2006 by Peter Beck in New Zealand and now headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company has established itself as the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket operator behind SpaceX. The company trades on NASDAQ under the ticker RKLB following its 2021 SPAC merger. Rocket Lab employs approximately 2,000 people across facilities in California, Virginia, New Zealand, and Colorado. Under founder and CEO Peter Beck, the company has evolved from a small satellite launch provider into a comprehensive space systems company. ## History and Milestones Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in New Zealand in 2006 with the goal of making space more accessible through small, affordable rockets. The company developed the Electron rocket, achieving first orbital flight in January 2018. Rocket Lab became the first private company to reach orbit from the Southern Hemisphere. The company pioneered electric-pump-fed rocket engines with the Rutherford engine, using 3D-printed components and electric motors instead of traditional turbopumps. This innovation reduced engine complexity and cost while maintaining performance. Electron has since completed over 50 launches with a strong success rate. In 2020, Rocket Lab successfully recovered an Electron first stage for the first time using parachute and helicopter capture, demonstrating a path to reusability. The company expanded into spacecraft manufacturing through the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary, Advanced Solutions Inc., and Planetary Systems Corporation, becoming a vertically integrated space company. ## Products and Services Electron is Rocket Lab's workhorse small satellite launcher, capable of delivering 300 kg to low Earth orbit from launch sites in New Zealand and Virginia. The rocket uses nine Rutherford engines on its first stage and a single vacuum-optimized Rutherford on the second stage. Electron launches are priced at approximately $7.5 million. Neutron is Rocket Lab's medium-lift reusable rocket currently in development, designed to carry 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit. The rocket features an innovative wide-body design with a reusable first stage landing on the launch pad rather than at sea. Neutron targets constellation deployment, cargo resupply, and potentially crewed missions. Rocket Lab's Space Systems division manufactures Photon spacecraft, providing satellite buses for customers who want turnkey solutions. Photon supports missions from low Earth orbit to interplanetary trajectories, including NASA's CAPSTONE lunar mission. The company also supplies spacecraft components to other manufacturers. ## Technology and Capabilities The Rutherford engine represents a significant advancement in small rocket propulsion, using electric pumps powered by lithium polymer batteries instead of gas generators or turbopumps. This approach simplifies the engine, enables high-performance 3D printing of major components, and provides precise throttle control for landing attempts. Rocket Lab operates the only private orbital launch complex in the Southern Hemisphere at Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, providing unique launch geometry for polar and sun-synchronous orbits. The company's second launch complex at Wallops Island, Virginia, serves U.S. government and commercial customers requiring domestic launch. The Photon spacecraft bus provides integrated power, propulsion, attitude control, and communications for customer payloads, significantly reducing time to orbit for small satellite missions. Rocket Lab's spacecraft manufacturing capabilities include solar panels, reaction wheels, star trackers, and software, enabling rapid satellite production. ## Business and Financial Overview Rocket Lab trades publicly on NASDAQ (RKLB) with a market capitalization that has varied between $2-6 billion since its 2021 debut. The company generates revenue from launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and component sales, with launch and space systems representing roughly equal revenue contributions. The company holds multiple NASA contracts including the Electron Launch Services Contract, spacecraft development for the Mars Sample Return mission, and various technology development awards. Rocket Lab also serves commercial constellation operators, defense customers, and civil space agencies worldwide. Rocket Lab has raised substantial capital through its public listing and subsequent offerings, investing in Neutron development, manufacturing expansion, and strategic acquisitions. The company targets profitability as launch cadence increases and Neutron becomes operational. ## Recent Developments In 2024, Rocket Lab achieved record launch cadence with multiple Electron missions per month, demonstrating manufacturing scalability. The company continued Neutron development, revealing detailed vehicle specifications and beginning construction of dedicated production facilities in Virginia. Rocket Lab successfully recovered additional Electron boosters via mid-air helicopter capture, advancing toward operational reuse. The company's Space Systems division delivered multiple spacecraft for commercial and government customers, growing its backlog of satellite manufacturing orders. The company expanded its component manufacturing business, supplying reaction wheels, solar panels, and other subsystems to external satellite manufacturers. Rocket Lab also advanced its deep space capabilities, supporting NASA's Mars exploration programs and commercial lunar mission customers. ## Market Position Rocket Lab leads the small satellite launch market, competing primarily with SpaceX rideshare services and emerging small launch providers. The company's reliable track record and dedicated launch service commands premium pricing compared to rideshare alternatives, serving customers requiring specific orbits or timing. Key competitors include SpaceX for all launch segments, Virgin Orbit (now defunct), Relativity Space, and international providers. In spacecraft manufacturing, Rocket Lab competes with Terran Orbital, AAC Clyde Space, and traditional satellite primes for small to medium satellite programs. Rocket Lab's competitive advantages include proven launch reliability, rapid cadence capability, vertical integration, and a clear path to medium-lift with Neutron. The company's expansion from launch to full space systems differentiates it from pure-play launch providers.

Full Rocket Lab profile

Relativity Space

Relativity Space is an aerospace manufacturer developing 3D-printed rockets using innovative additive manufacturing technology. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, Relativity aims to disrupt rocket manufacturing by printing 95% of its vehicles using proprietary metal 3D printing systems. The company is developing Terran R, a fully reusable medium-lift rocket. Relativity has raised over $1.3 billion in private funding, with investors including Tiger Global, Fidelity, and Baillie Gifford. The company employs over 1,000 people and operates the world's largest 3D printers at its Long Beach factory. Under CEO Tim Ellis (co-founder), Relativity pursues both technological innovation and commercial launch services. ## History and Milestones Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone founded Relativity Space in 2015 after meeting at Blue Origin and SpaceX respectively. The founders believed 3D printing could fundamentally transform rocket manufacturing, reducing part count, lead time, and costs. Relativity developed Stargate, the world's largest metal 3D printer, capable of producing rocket structures that would traditionally require thousands of parts and months of assembly. The company built increasingly capable versions of this core technology. Terran 1, Relativity's first rocket, launched in March 2023. While the mission did not reach orbit due to an upper stage issue, it demonstrated the viability of 3D-printed rocket structures and propulsion components. The company subsequently pivoted to focus on the larger Terran R. ## Products and Services Terran R is Relativity's primary vehicle in development, a fully reusable medium-lift rocket designed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9. The rocket will deliver approximately 23,500 kg to low Earth orbit and feature first-stage landing and reuse similar to Falcon 9's operational model. The company offers launch services for commercial, civil, and defense customers. Relativity has secured contracts from NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial customers for future launches. Relativity's manufacturing technology platform has potential applications beyond its own rockets. The company's additive manufacturing capabilities could support other aerospace and defense production needs. ## Technology and Capabilities Stargate 3D printers use proprietary wire-arc additive manufacturing to produce large rocket structures from aluminum alloys. The technology dramatically reduces part count—Terran 1 contained fewer than 100 major parts compared to thousands in conventional rockets. The manufacturing approach enables rapid iteration and customization, with the ability to update designs and production quickly. Relativity prints tank sections, engine components, and structural elements using automated systems with minimal human labor. Aeon engines, developed in-house, power both Terran 1 and Terran R. These liquid oxygen/liquid natural gas engines are also heavily 3D printed, demonstrating the technology's applicability to demanding propulsion applications. ## Business and Financial Overview Relativity has raised over $1.3 billion in funding, with its most recent round valuing the company at $4.2 billion. The company has invested heavily in manufacturing infrastructure, including its Long Beach factory and launch facilities. The company holds contracts with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and commercial customers including OneWeb and Telesat. Terran R is targeted at constellation deployment and government launch services. Path to commercialization requires successful Terran R development and demonstration of reusability. The company faces execution risk in transitioning from development to operational launch services. ## Recent Developments In 2024, Relativity focused development resources on Terran R, discontinuing the smaller Terran 1 program. This strategic decision concentrated effort on the reusable medium-lift vehicle with larger market opportunity. Development of the Aeon R engine progressed with testing campaigns at NASA Stennis Space Center. Relativity also advanced manufacturing processes and expanded production capacity at Long Beach. The company signed additional launch contracts while continuing to build customer pipeline for Terran R services. Relativity also explored applications of its manufacturing technology beyond rockets. ## Market Position Relativity competes in the medium-lift launch market, where SpaceX's Falcon 9 dominates. Success requires demonstrating competitive pricing, reliability, and reusability to attract customers from the incumbent. The company's manufacturing technology represents genuine innovation, potentially enabling faster iteration and lower costs than traditional aerospace manufacturing. However, proving these advantages at scale remains ahead. Competitive challenges include SpaceX's established market position, emerging competition from Rocket Lab's Neutron and other medium-lift vehicles, and the execution risk inherent in developing a new reusable rocket. Relativity's success depends on Terran R achieving operational status and demonstrating competitive economics.

Full Relativity Space profile