Relativity Space’s rocket will launch Impulse Space’s lander to the Red Planet in 2024 if all goes according to plan.
The shape of Relativity Space’s Terran R rocket. (Image: Relativity Space)
Two California-based space startup companies, Relativity Space and Impulse Space, announced on July 19 that they are collaborating to launch the first commercial mission to Mars in 2024, several years ahead of SpaceX’s first flight, a company known for its long-term plans to establish a settlement on the Red Planet. Newsweek reported that Relativity Space will provide a 3D-printed reusable Terran R rocket for the mission, while Impulse Space will be responsible for developing the spacecraft to travel to Mars and the lander to deploy equipment on the planet’s surface.
The 2024 timeline for the mission will allow Relativity Space and Impulse Space to potentially outpace the company of American billionaire Elon Musk. SpaceX may land a commercial mission on Mars by the end of this decade, according to Gwynne Shotwell, the company’s president and CEO. SpaceX has not provided a specific timeline for its flight to Mars. If Relativity and Impulse can execute their plans, they will be the first commercial companies to reach the Red Planet.
Founded in 2015, Relativity Space has attracted over $1 billion in investment. The company pioneers the use of metal 3D printing to manufacture rocket bodies and engines, reducing supply chain complexity and development time. Currently, Relativity Space is operating or developing multiple launch facilities and related infrastructure at U.S. Air Force and NASA bases. The 2024 mission will mark the first launch of Relativity’s Terran R rocket.
Impulse Space, established in 2021, currently employs 40 staff members. The company aims to provide low-cost cargo transportation in space so that customers can access any orbit. They focus on creating flexible vehicles for last-mile delivery. “One of the biggest challenges when landing on Mars is the atmospheric entry phase, which requires a protective shell around the lander to ensure the vehicle survives the descent. With the collaboration of both teams, I am confident this historic mission will be successful,” shared the founder and CEO of Impulse Space.
