Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is taking over as the CEO of Relativity Space, a 9-year-old rocket startup, a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch. This is Schmidt’s first CEO job since he left Google roughly 15 years ago.
On Monday, Schmidt told employees of Relativity Space that he made a significant investment and had taken a controlling stake in the company, the New York Times first reported. Schmidt is succeeding the startup’s co-founder, Tim Ellis, as chief executive.
Schmidt is joining Relativity Space right as the company gears up for the 2026 launch of Terran R, a larger rocket than what the startup has launched before, that would compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. In anticipation of Terran R’s first launch, Relativity Space has struck nearly $3 billion in launch contracts with customers, the Times reported.
Relativity Space is known for producing its rockets with unusual techniques, including the use of 3D printers, automated robots, and artificial intelligence. The company also has bold ambitions, previously announcing a plan to send the first private space mission to Mars by 2024. However, some launch failures have set those audacious milestones on hold.
