Darwin McDaniel
Relativity has secured approval from the U.S. Air Force to conduct launch operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The company said Thursday it has received a Statement of Capability to operate its rocket launch facilities at Launch Complex 16 in Cape Canaveral.
LC-16 will support the firm’s expansion efforts, vehicle integration and payload processing, as well as the launch of the Terran 1, the first and only fully 3D-printed rocket in the world.
Relativity CEO Tim Ellis said the facility will also help ensure schedule certainty for its satellite customers and increase the number of the company’s launches.
The Air Force agreement also made Relativity the 4th company to have a major operational orbital launch site at Cape Canaveral, joining SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin.
“We are honored to win this significant support from the U.S. Air Force and join a select group of private space companies in conducting launches at Cape Canaveral,†Ellis said.
Relativity plans to conduct its first full orbital rocket launch by the end of 2020.
