Spaceflight Inc connects small satellite operators with rideshare missions and launch opportunities in the commercial space industry. They act as both a launch broker and a payload integrator, taking care of the tricky logistics of getting secondary payloads into orbit through cost-effective rideshare deals.
Spaceflight Inc really leans into rideshare missions for small satellites. They bridge the gap between satellite operators and launch providers, handling everything from payload integration to orbital deployment.
Their main services:
They run advanced manufacturing and payload processing facilities out in Bellevue, Washington. Those facilities include clean rooms, environmental testing setups, and big high bays for building several spacecraft at once.
Spaceflight Inc has put more than 460 payloads into space so far. That’s a lot, and it shows they can handle tough, multi-payload missions to a range of orbital destinations.
Their orbital vehicles do more than just deliver payloads—they also offer hosting and transfer services in orbit. That kind of flexibility goes beyond simply getting stuff to space.
Back in 2010, Jason Andrews started Spaceflight Inc to make space more accessible. He wanted to lower the barriers for organizations trying to reach orbit.
The company zeroes in on the small satellite market, offering affordable options compared to dedicated launches. They pull this off by grouping multiple payloads onto single missions, so customers share the costs.
Spaceflight Inc doesn’t just act as a launch broker. They handle all the logistics that many small satellite operators just don’t have the resources for.
Their priorities:
Spaceflight Inc grew quickly and earned recognition before joining a bigger aerospace portfolio. They started as part of Spaceflight Industries, but split off in 2020 to focus just on launch services.
In June 2023, Firefly Aerospace bought Spaceflight Inc, aiming to boost their on-orbit solutions. By combining Spaceflight’s orbital know-how with Firefly’s launch vehicles, Blue Ghost landers, and Space Utility Vehicles, they created some real synergy.
After the acquisition, the two companies merged operations. Now, the combined team handles everything from launches to lunar missions and in-space vehicles.
They moved headquarters from Seattle to Cedar Park, Texas, to align with Firefly’s main base. That move supports a broader mission in the space industry and helps them work more closely together.
Spaceflight Inc. started as a scrappy startup and grew into a major player in small satellite launches. They managed multiple ownership changes and built partnerships that shaped their spot in commercial spaceflight.
Jason Andrews launched Spaceflight Inc. in 2010 with a mission to open up access to space. He set the company up as both a launch broker and a payload integrator.
That dual focus helped Spaceflight stand out in the growing small satellite market. In the early days, they operated under Spaceflight Industries and concentrated on rideshare launches for secondary payloads.
By focusing on small satellite launches, they filled a real gap. Big launch providers usually ignored smaller payloads because of the high costs.
Spaceflight’s model grouped multiple small satellites for one launch, making space more affordable for startups and smaller organizations.
They set up shop in Seattle, Washington, and built a global network of launch partners from there.
Mitsui & Co. and Yamasa Co. bought Spaceflight Inc. in June 2020, forming a 50/50 joint venture.
Spaceflight Industries signed off on the deal in February 2020, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States gave the green light.
| Year | Owner | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-2020 | Spaceflight Industries | Parent Company |
| 2020-2023 | Mitsui & Co. + Yamasa Co. | 50/50 Joint Venture |
| 2023-Present | Firefly Aerospace | Full Acquisition |
Ownership stayed steady under the Japanese joint venture for about three years. In February 2023, Spaceflight brought on Tiphaine Louradour as CEO.
Firefly Aerospace completed the acquisition in June 2023, moving quickly and keeping the details private.
Firefly kept all 90 Spaceflight employees and held onto the Bellevue payload processing facility.
Spaceflight worked with a bunch of launch providers while running independently. They set up launches for over 460 payloads on a range of missions.
SpaceX was a big partner at first, but things got tense later due to operational conflicts.
The company developed its own Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles that use both chemical and electric propulsion for precise deployments.
Spaceflight always aimed for launch vehicle diversity. By doing that, they gave customers more options for reaching orbit.
Under Firefly, Spaceflight’s partnership model shifted. Now, Spaceflight services only use Firefly’s launch vehicles.
Firefly will still honor existing contracts with other providers, but they won’t put new payloads on non-Firefly rockets.
The Bellevue facility now focuses on building Firefly’s orbital transfer vehicles. This move boosts Firefly’s end-to-end space transportation game.
Firefly Aerospace picked up Spaceflight Inc. on June 8, 2023. The deal brought together Firefly’s launch capabilities and Spaceflight’s orbital vehicle expertise.
This move expanded Firefly’s portfolio and made them a stronger player in space transportation.
Firefly Aerospace broke the news about acquiring Spaceflight Inc. in June 2023. They kept the transaction terms under wraps.
Bill Weber, Firefly’s CEO, said this was all part of their plan to grow through both internal efforts and smart acquisitions. The deal combined Spaceflight’s orbital experience with Firefly’s launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Spaceflight Inc. brought some real assets to the table:
Firefly instantly gained access to Spaceflight’s proven orbital vehicles. These vehicles add payload delivery, hosting, and transfer services to Firefly’s lineup.
The acquisition blended Spaceflight’s orbital services with Firefly’s product line. Firefly runs the Alpha launch vehicle, which has missions lined up with the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and commercial clients.
Spaceflight’s orbital vehicles now work alongside Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander program. The Blue Ghost was set for its first NASA-backed Moon mission.
Integration highlights:
Firefly’s Space Utility Vehicles got a boost from Spaceflight’s orbital transfer services. Now, they can offer a full chain of services from launch to orbit.
Customers can book both launches and orbital services through one provider. That’s pretty convenient.
The acquisition turned Firefly into a vertically integrated space services company. Weber pointed out the high demand for on-orbit services and quick-response missions, making this move a smart play.
Spaceflight’s mission management experience added muscle to Firefly’s operations. Their knack for selling and filling manifests brought extra commercial value.
Strategic advantages:
AE Industrial Partners, Firefly’s private equity backer, supported the deal as part of their growth strategy. They focus on aerospace, defense, and space investments.
Customers now get faster responses for both launch and orbital needs. The combined team can cover the entire mission lifecycle.
By integrating launch and orbital services, Firefly gained new revenue streams and operational efficiencies. That should help them hold their own in the competitive commercial space market.
Spaceflight Inc. stands out as a top provider of rideshare launch services, connecting small satellites with open rocket slots. Their focus is on making space access affordable through shared launches and secondary payload deals.
Spaceflight Inc. organizes rideshare missions that let multiple small satellites share a single rocket. Since they started, they’ve launched 271 satellites across 29 missions.
Small satellites save money by splitting launch costs with others. This setup takes a lot of pressure off operators who can’t pay for a dedicated launch.
Spaceflight works with different launch vehicle providers to secure space for customer satellites. They handle the technical details to make sure everything fits and works together.
Mission Planning Process:
Rideshare missions let small satellite operators get to space more often. No need to wait forever for a dedicated launch.
Spaceflight Inc. lines up hosted payload opportunities where small satellites hitch a ride as secondary payloads on bigger missions. They take advantage of extra space on rockets that already have a main customer.
Secondary payloads fill up space and weight that would otherwise go unused. The main mission provides the propulsion, while secondary payloads deploy at specific times.
Spaceflight coordinates between the main mission operators and the secondary customers. They plan carefully so that deployment sequences don’t mess with the main mission.
Types of Payloads:
Hosted payload deals give flexibility for launch timing and destination orbits. Secondary payloads can reach orbits that might be tough or expensive to hit with a dedicated launch.
Rideshare services cut launch costs way down compared to dedicated missions. Small satellite operators only pay for their share of the rocket, not the whole thing.
Depending on the satellite and mission, cost savings can hit hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. That opens the door for smaller companies and research groups to get to space.
Spaceflight Inc. handles mission management, taking care of the technical headaches of launch coordination. Customers get support from start to finish, even if they don’t have their own launch experts.
They offer regular launch opportunities through a global network of vehicles. That means commercial and government satellite operators can count on predictable access to space.
Mission management includes keeping an eye on payload integration and making sure everything deploys as planned. Their services help satellites reach the right orbit and start working without a hitch.
Spaceflight Inc.’s Sherpa program pushes forward orbital transfer vehicle tech. These vehicles move satellites and other payloads between different orbits after they leave the main launch vehicle.
The new Sherpa platforms add propulsive capabilities and flexible deployment systems. Spaceflight built them to handle a variety of mission needs.
The Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles act like space taxis, bridging the gap between launch and final orbit. They can take payloads to higher altitudes, different orbital planes, or even specialized orbits that rockets just can’t reach directly.
Spaceflight designed Sherpa systems with modularity in mind. Customers get platforms that adapt to their specific needs.
Each vehicle provides independent deployment telemetry. They can execute several satellite deployments on a single mission.
Key Technical Features:
The Sherpa-LTC variant uses Benchmark Space Systems’ Polaris propulsion tech. With this setup, Sherpa-LTC can move payloads from 310-kilometer orbits up to 1,000 kilometers—a pretty significant range.
Sherpa-FX kicked off the Sherpa-NG program as its first vehicle. It’s a next-gen platform that brings more deployment flexibility and keeps things cost-effective for small spacecraft.
Spaceflight has launched several Sherpa models: Sherpa-FX1, Sherpa-FX2, and Sherpa-LTE1. In 2021, these vehicles delivered 50 spacecraft to orbit.
The Sherpa-AC variant made its debut on SpaceX’s Transporter 5 mission. It carried hosted payloads to their targeted orbits, proving the platform’s reliability for rideshare operations.
Sherpa Vehicle Variants:
Sherpa-ES is set to launch on the GEO Pathfinder lunar slingshot mission. It’ll show off extended-range capabilities for deep space work.
Spaceflight’s transfer vehicles open up access to unusual orbits in low Earth orbit and beyond. They let spacecraft reach destinations that used to be off-limits.
The company partners with groups like Astro Digital. Astro Digital’s Makalu platform manages command and control for Sherpa operations and payloads in flight.
Sherpa vehicles can handle different payload sizes and mission profiles. They deliver satellites to specific altitudes, phases, or even tweak inclinations to fit customer needs.
Mission applications cover satellite constellation deployment, hosted payloads, and even orbital debris removal. Customers get a cost-effective alternative to booking a whole launch.
Spaceflight has launched over 550 spacecraft using its transfer vehicle tech. That’s more than 50 missions—an impressive track record for commercial and government clients.
Spaceflight Inc. offers launch services by teaming up with major rocket providers. The focus is on affordable satellite deployment to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
They operate as a launch broker, locking down capacity across different rockets and building specialized transfer capabilities.
Spaceflight works with leading launch providers to offer flexible options for small satellites. They partner with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and secure rideshare slots for multiple payloads on one mission.
Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket is another key part of their lineup. This partnership lets them run dedicated missions for bigger payloads.
Spaceflight’s vehicle-agnostic approach gives customers access to the best rocket for their mission. They handle the tricky job of matching each payload to the right launch.
Primary Launch Partners:
This approach reduces risk. If one rocket gets delayed, Spaceflight can move payloads to another option.
Spaceflight made small satellite launches affordable by aggregating small payloads on shared launches. This model slashes costs for each customer.
With the rideshare approach, even satellites weighing just a few kilograms can reach orbit for a fraction of the usual price. Customers pay only for the space and mass they use.
Sherpa transfer vehicles bring extra savings. These spacecraft can deploy several satellites at different altitudes or orbits from a single launch.
Spaceflight manages mission integration, regulatory compliance, and payload processing at its Washington facilities. Customers don’t need to build their own launch teams or infrastructure.
Spaceflight has branched out to medium-class launch vehicles. They secure dedicated launch capacity on rockets that handle heavier payloads and more complex missions.
With these partnerships, Spaceflight serves customers with bigger satellites or full constellations. These rockets can carry anywhere from 500 kilograms up to several tons.
Their mission planning and payload integration skills carry over to medium-class launches. Spaceflight coordinates technical details between satellite operators and rocket providers.
Recent projects focus on helping government clients who need dedicated launches. These missions often require specific orbits or tight schedules that only medium-class vehicles can deliver.
Spaceflight Inc manages every part of satellite deployment, from planning to post-launch. Their advanced facilities in Bellevue, Washington feature top-notch clean rooms and environmental test equipment for spacecraft production.
Spaceflight guides customers through the whole satellite deployment journey. They handle planning, coordination, launch ops, and post-launch support.
Mission planning starts with a close look at the payload and manifest. The team works directly with satellite operators to pick the best launch windows and orbital strategies.
They’ve managed over 460 payloads in space. That level of experience helps them spot problems early and keep missions on track.
Launch coordination covers rocket selection, regulatory paperwork, and working with launch providers. Spaceflight’s relationships with rocket companies mean more flexible scheduling.
Post-launch, the team checks orbits, confirms deployments, and manages handoff. They monitor each payload until it’s up and running.
Spaceflight offers payload integration services to get satellites launch-ready. The process includes design review, hardware adaptation, and thorough verification.
Design reviews compare satellite specs against rocket requirements. Engineers catch compatibility issues and suggest fixes before building hardware.
They provide all the necessary flight support equipment for integration and deployment. Spaceflight’s fixed-price integration covers brackets, separation systems, and deployment gear.
Testing and verification put each payload through its paces. Satellites go through mechanical fit checks, electrical tests, and interface verification.
Installation follows strict procedures to keep payloads safe. Techs use specialized equipment for delicate spacecraft handling.
Spaceflight runs advanced manufacturing and processing facilities in Bellevue. Their clean rooms keep spacecraft components free from contamination.
Environmental tests include thermal cycling, vibration, and shock simulation. These tests mimic launch conditions to check payload durability and performance.
Large high bays allow multiple satellites to be built or processed at once. This setup cuts down mission timelines and costs.
They handle both small CubeSats and bigger commercial satellites. Clean room standards match industry needs for spacecraft assembly and testing.
Quality control ensures every payload meets launch provider specs. Detailed documentation tracks all testing and verification steps from start to finish.
Spaceflight Inc. has started supporting lunar delivery and deep space exploration. The company now works with NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services and partners like Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost lander missions.
Spaceflight Inc. delivers lunar mission payloads using its proven orbital vehicles. They manage the complex logistics for sending scientific and commercial instruments to the Moon.
Their transfer vehicles act as stepping stones for lunar missions. They move payloads into the best trajectories for lunar insertion and landing.
Spaceflight has shown its lunar chops by partnering with several mission providers. The company delivered payloads for GeoJump and Orbit Fab on a lunar flyby with Intuitive Machines in 2022.
The lunar delivery market is growing fast. Spaceflight uses its manifest management skills to coordinate multi-customer lunar missions.
Blue Ghost landers, built by Firefly Aerospace, carry science and commercial payloads to the Moon. Spaceflight Inc. supports these missions with its orbital services.
NASA picked Blue Ghost for several Commercial Lunar Payload Services flights. The first mission made it to the lunar surface—a big milestone for commercial lunar exploration.
Spaceflight Inc. manages mission planning and payload integration for Blue Ghost. Their experience with over 460 payloads brings a lot of value to lunar operations.
The Blue Ghost program shows how commercial companies can help NASA reach its lunar goals. These missions also test out tech for future human lunar and Mars missions.
NASA awarded contracts to companies teaming up with Spaceflight Inc. for lunar exploration. Firefly Aerospace received a $176.7 million contract to deliver rovers and scientific gear to the Moon’s south pole.
The Commercial Lunar Payload Services program connects NASA with private firms like Spaceflight Inc. The goal is to build a sustainable lunar economy through commercial partnerships.
NASA’s lunar strategy depends on commercial providers for regular cargo runs. Spaceflight Inc. supports this with its payload management and transfer technology.
The agency uses commercial services to test tech before sending people. Spaceflight Inc. helps NASA cut costs while keeping missions reliable.
Spaceflight Inc. operates advanced orbital vehicles for payload delivery, hosting, and transfer throughout space missions. They combine proven satellite transportation with new technical systems, supporting over 460 successful payload deployments.
Spaceflight Inc. delivers on-orbit solutions with a fleet of flight-proven orbital vehicles. These spacecraft offer payload hosting services, letting customers test equipment and run experiments in space.
Their orbital vehicles move satellites between different orbits. Customers can reach their operational positions without burning their own fuel.
Spaceflight stands out for its mission management expertise in the on-orbit services market. The team manages tricky orbital mechanics and timing for multiple payloads at once.
These on-orbit platforms help satellites last longer. Operators can avoid replacing satellites as often, which definitely keeps costs down.
Spaceflight specializes in rideshare launch coordination, making space more affordable for smaller payloads. The company finds available launch capacity and matches customers with the right missions.
Their core strength lies in manifest management. Spaceflight fills launch vehicles by combining several customer payloads on one trip.
Payload integration services cover mechanical and electrical interfaces. Customers get hands-on testing and verification help at Spaceflight’s Bellevue, Washington facilities.
They run dedicated clean rooms and environmental testing capabilities. These spaces make sure payloads meet launch and space environment standards.
Spaceflight’s manufacturing sites feature state-of-the-art production capabilities for building multiple spacecraft at once. Large high bay areas support several vehicle builds side by side.
Environmental testing systems check spacecraft performance for both launch and space. Teams run vibration, thermal, and vacuum tests to cover all the bases.
They develop custom integration solutions for unique payloads. Engineering teams design specialized mounting and electrical setups for all sorts of customer needs.
Automated mission planning software helps optimize payload placement and orbital transfers. This tech cuts mission costs and bumps up deployment accuracy for satellites.
Spaceflight Inc changed how small satellites reach orbit by opening new routes to space and building partnerships across the commercial sector. The company has launched over 460 payloads and rolled out innovative orbital transfer vehicles that boost mission capabilities for LEO operations.
Spaceflight Inc shook up satellite deployment by making space access possible for organizations that couldn’t afford dedicated launches before. They focused on rideshare missions, so multiple small satellites split launch costs—either on dedicated small rockets or as secondaries on bigger ones.
Small satellite operators found affordable ways to reach LEO thanks to Spaceflight’s brokerage services. The company teamed up with both new launch providers and established aerospace giants to lock in launch slots at good prices.
Spaceflight’s Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles added a layer of flexibility for satellite deployment. These spacecraft use chemical and electric propulsion to move payloads into precise orbits after launch.
Their integration services took the headache out of launching for customers. Spaceflight managed mission planning, regulatory paperwork, and technical integration, lowering the bar for universities, startups, and government agencies to get to space.
Spaceflight Inc built partnerships with several launch providers to expand mission options for small satellite operators. They worked with SpaceX, although that relationship hit some bumps over contractual issues with payload integration.
Firefly Aerospace acquired the company in June 2023, which created new synergies in space transportation. Firefly blended Spaceflight’s services with its Alpha rocket, Space Utility Vehicle, and Blue Ghost lunar lander programs.
Spaceflight kept running its Bellevue, Washington payload processing facility, which joined Firefly’s manufacturing network. This spot supports orbital transfer vehicle production and payload integration.
The 90-person team brought deep knowledge in mission planning, payload integration, and orbital mechanics to Firefly. This talent pool boosted Firefly’s launch and in-space transportation capabilities.
Spaceflight Inc launched many small satellites to LEO, supporting research and commercial missions. These satellites have helped with Earth observation, communications, and tech demonstration programs for both civilian and military use.
Universities and research groups gained access to LEO experiments that used to be too expensive. These missions pushed scientific understanding and helped develop new space tech.
U.S. Space Force and other government agencies used Spaceflight’s services to deploy small satellites for national security. The company arranged quick deployments that supported responsive space projects.
Spaceflight’s orbital transfer vehicles took mission capabilities beyond old-school deployment methods. Sherpa spacecraft could deliver payloads to several orbits on one mission, squeezing the most value out of every launch and meeting a range of mission needs in LEO.
Spaceflight Inc. pulled in significant capital through several funding rounds before Firefly Aerospace acquired them in 2023. Big investors like Mitsui and Thales Alenia Space backed the company, and eventually, Spaceflight joined AE Industrial Partners’ aerospace portfolio.
Spaceflight Industries raised a lot of capital over multiple funding rounds to fuel its space transportation services. They completed a $20 million Series B round with co-lead investors.
In 2018, the company secured another $25 million Series B-1 round led by Mithril Capital. This helped them expand rideshare and payload deployment services.
The largest cash injection came in March 2018, with a $150 million Series C led by Thales Alenia Space and Mitsui. This supported the production and launch of 20 BlackSky satellites.
Altogether, these rounds brought in over $195 million in venture capital. The funding powered Spaceflight’s rise as a top provider for secondary payloads and rideshare missions.
Firefly Aerospace picked up Spaceflight Inc. in June 2023, aiming to boost its on-orbit solutions. The acquisition created a space transportation company that covers everything from launch to lunar delivery.
AE Industrial Partners, a private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense, owns Firefly Aerospace. They focus on aerospace, defense, government services, and space.
The merger combined Spaceflight’s proven orbital vehicles with Firefly’s Alpha launchers and Blue Ghost lunar landers. No one publicly shared the terms of the deal.
Bill Weber, Firefly’s CEO, said the acquisition fit with their strategy for organic growth and strategic partnerships. The deal gave customers instant access to end-to-end space services.
Spaceflight Inc. helped deploy over 460 payloads before the acquisition. Their rideshare services served commercial clients, government agencies, and satellite operators.
NASA became an anchor customer for Firefly after the acquisition. The U.S. Space Force also contracted with Firefly for launches through 2023.
Northrop Grumman teamed up with Firefly to build a new medium launch vehicle. This partnership expanded their reach beyond just small satellite launches.
Spaceflight ran manufacturing and payload processing in Bellevue, Washington, including clean rooms and environmental testing. Their expertise in mission management and manifest coordination served a wide range of space industry stakeholders.
The acquisition set up the combined company to serve customers who want space transportation from low Earth orbit all the way to the Moon.
These questions cover Spaceflight Inc’s orbital transfer capabilities, company achievements, satellite deployment, facility locations, executive leadership, and rocket manufacturing.
The Sherpa system acts as both a hosted payload platform and an in-space maneuvering stage. It moves small and secondary spacecraft after the primary launch vehicle deploys them.
Sherpa relies on a custom ring as its main structure. It comes with propulsion and other subsystems for independent operation.
The next-generation Sherpa-NG program includes Sherpa-FX, Sherpa-LTC, and Sherpa-LTE. These ESPA-class vehicles cut development time and increase reliability.
Sherpa-FX can handle multiple deployments and provides independent telemetry. The system offers flexible interfaces at lower costs than dedicated launches.
Sherpa tech opens access to destinations beyond low Earth orbit. These vehicles can even take rideshare payloads to lunar and Martian orbits.
Firefly Aerospace acquired Spaceflight Inc in June 2023 to grow its orbital services. This move brought proven rideshare mission management into Firefly’s lineup.
Firefly runs the Alpha rocket for small satellite launches to low Earth orbit. They focus on dedicated missions for payloads up to 1,170 kilograms.
Now with Spaceflight Inc, Firefly can offer both dedicated launches and rideshare options. This covers a wider range of payload sizes and mission needs.
Spaceflight Industries sold its rideshare business to Mitsui & Co. and Yamasa Co., Ltd. in June 2020. Now, the company focuses on geospatial intelligence instead of launch operations.
Before the sale, Spaceflight bought excess launch capacity from commercial vehicles and resold it to secondary payload customers at lower rates.
They integrated all secondary satellites into a single unit for the launch vehicle. This method saved customers a lot compared to booking entire launches.
Payload sizes ranged from 1 kilogram up to 300 kilograms. The service used launch vehicles like Antares, Dnepr, Soyuz, and Falcon 9.
Firefly Aerospace runs facilities across the U.S. Headquarters and manufacturing are in Cedar Park, Texas.
They test engines at Briggs, Texas. Firefly also launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Additional engineering and development happen in Washington state. These sites support rocket development and mission operations.
Firefly Aerospace’s leadership team includes experienced aerospace professionals. The executives steer small launch vehicle development and operations.
Spaceflight Inc’s acquisition brought more mission management and rideshare expertise into the fold. This expanded Firefly’s leadership in orbital services.
Executives focus on building reliable launch services for small satellites. They oversee everything from manufacturing to mission completion.
Relativity Space stands apart from Spaceflight Inc. They’ve got their own way of doing things, especially when it comes to building rockets.
Instead of following the old-school aerospace playbook, Relativity Space leans heavily on 3D printing. Honestly, it’s kind of wild—they print almost the entire rocket structure using automated systems.
By doing this, they cut down on the number of parts and speed up assembly. It’s a bold move, and they seem pretty determined to outpace traditional manufacturers.
Relativity Space puts most of its energy into medium-lift launch capabilities. Their Terran rockets go after payloads that are a bit bigger than what small launch vehicles usually handle.
