Rendering of a Terran R launch. Photo: Relativity Space

Intelsat signed a multi-launch deal with Relativity Space, for Relativity to launch Intelsat satellites on the Terran R rocket as early as 2026. With this agreement, Relativity now has nine signed customers for Terran R, with more than $1.8 billion in backlog.

The Tuesday announcement did not specify the number of launches or the value of the launch contract. 

“Relativity has developed an innovative design and production process for the Terran R, which will deliver benefits to Intelsat for years to come,” commented Jean-Luc Froeliger, Intelsat senior vice president of Space Systems. 

Terran R is designed to offer large constellation launch services. It is a two-stage, 270-foot-tall rocket with an 18-foot diameter and a 5-meter payload fairing. It is designed to provide medium to heavy lift services, with the capability of launching 23,500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or 5,500 kg to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with a reusable first stage.

Earlier this year after testing its Terran 1 rocket, Relativity Space shifted focus away from Terran 1, to bring the Terran R rocket to commercial service. Relativity plans to begin launching Terran R in 2026 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Other signed customers for Terran R include Iridium and OneWeb. 

“The space industry clearly requires more commercially competitive, diversified, and disruptive launch capacity. Relativity is developing Terran R as a customer-focused reusable launch vehicle to solve this need,” said Tim Ellis, Relativity Space co-founder and CEO.