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Relativity Space breaks ground on new test stand at Stennis Space Center
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Leading 3D-printed rocket company Relativity Space has broken ground on a new vertical test stand at the A-2 complex located at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. In October 2022, Relativity announced a large $267 million expansion at Stennis that will create 630 jobs. The new test stand, part of the larger expansion, will support advanced vertical stage testing for Terran R, the company’s medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket.
The entire project, which includes several new engine test stands, a full-scale second stage stand, office buildings and a vehicle hangar, will enable the company to increase its testing, increase the speed of iterative learning cycles and shorten speed to market. Originally designed to withstand a maximum thrust of 1.5 million pounds, the A-2 test stand is being upgraded by Relativity to accommodate thrust of more than 3 million pounds, positioning it at the forefront of America’s commercial space program. The expansion brings Relativity’s total footprint at the site to nearly 300 acres, making it the largest commercial presence at Stennis.
Relativity also has 10-year leases for the E-2 and E-4 stands and has commercial use agreements for the E-1 site with continued improvements in the R-Complex for new engine and stage test infrastructure.
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements. MDA also is providing assistance through the Aerospace Initiative Incentives Program, which provides tax incentives to companies that locate or expand in Mississippi and manufacture, assemble or process products, components or systems for the aerospace industry or provide research and development or training services for the sector. Hancock County and Stennis Space Center also are assisting with the project.
Since forming in 2016, Relativity has operated multiple production, test and launch sites across the United States. Relativity employs over 1,000 people across the United States and is actively hiring in the Gulf Coast region as its presence continues to grow.
The entire project, which includes several new engine test stands, a full-scale second stage stand, office buildings and a vehicle hangar, will enable the company to increase its testing, increase the speed of iterative learning cycles and shorten speed to market. Originally designed to withstand a maximum thrust of 1.5 million pounds, the A-2 test stand is being upgraded by Relativity to accommodate thrust of more than 3 million pounds, positioning it at the forefront of America’s commercial space program. The expansion brings Relativity’s total footprint at the site to nearly 300 acres, making it the largest commercial presence at Stennis.
Relativity also has 10-year leases for the E-2 and E-4 stands and has commercial use agreements for the E-1 site with continued improvements in the R-Complex for new engine and stage test infrastructure.
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements. MDA also is providing assistance through the Aerospace Initiative Incentives Program, which provides tax incentives to companies that locate or expand in Mississippi and manufacture, assemble or process products, components or systems for the aerospace industry or provide research and development or training services for the sector. Hancock County and Stennis Space Center also are assisting with the project.
Since forming in 2016, Relativity has operated multiple production, test and launch sites across the United States. Relativity employs over 1,000 people across the United States and is actively hiring in the Gulf Coast region as its presence continues to grow.
