Relativity Space is planning a mission to Mars, with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt leading the charge. The move pits the 3D-printing rocket company directly against SpaceX in the race to the red planet.
Schmidt's Role
Eric Schmidt, who stepped down as Google's executive chairman in 2018, has taken a hands-on role at Relativity Space. His leadership could reshape the company's ambitions and inject a new dynamic into commercial space exploration. The company hasn't detailed Schmidt's exact title or responsibilities, but insiders say he is driving the Mars project.
The Mars Ambition
Relativity Space has not released a timeline or specific details about the mission. The company is known for its 3D-printed rockets, a technology it hopes will lower costs and speed up production. A Mars mission would be a massive leap beyond its current work, which includes launching small satellites and developing the larger Terran R rocket.
Competing with SpaceX
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has long dominated the narrative around Mars exploration. Musk has repeatedly said his company aims to establish a city on the planet. Relativity Space's entry into that arena signals a shift—no longer is Mars a one-company goal. The competition could accelerate innovation, but it also raises questions about funding, technical hurdles, and regulatory approval.
Relativity Space has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, including a $650 million round in 2021. Whether those funds will be enough for a Mars mission remains unclear. The company has not disclosed the mission's budget or a target launch date.
The news comes as NASA and other space agencies also eye Mars. Private companies have increasingly taken on roles once reserved for governments. Schmidt's involvement adds a layer of credibility and business acumen, but the technical challenges are immense.
For now, Relativity Space is keeping its cards close. The company hasn't said what payload the Mars mission would carry, or whether it would be crewed or robotic. What is clear: the race to Mars just got a new runner.
