Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the newest Big Tech-to-space exec

Eric Schmidt, who was the CEO of Google from 2001 to 2011, is now the CEO of rocket startup Relativity Space, a institution spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. Schmidt will beryllium replacing Relativity Space co-founder Tim Ellis successful the CEO role.

Schmidt isn’t unsocial successful the conception – Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are known for their activity pinch SpaceX and Blue Origin, respectively, and erstwhile Amazon executive Dave Limp took complete arsenic CEO of Blue Origin in 2023.

Relativity Space launched “the world’s first 3D printed rocket,” called the Terran 1, though it grounded shortly aft launch. It’s besides moving connected the Terran R, which it says is “our reusable medium-to-heavy-lift motorboat vehicle.” The institution posted a property merchandise connected Monday detailing updates connected Terran R’s improvement up of a planned “late 2026” launch.

Schmidt besides told Relativity Space labor coming that he has made a important finance successful the institution and taken a controlling stake, according to The New York Times. Relativity Space didn’t instantly reply to a petition for comment.

“Today marks a powerful caller section arsenic Eric Schmidt @ericschmidt becomes Relativity’s CEO, while besides providing important financial backing,“ Ellis says successful a station connected X. “I cognize there’s nary 1 much tenacious aliases passionate to propel this dream forward. We person been moving together to guarantee a soft transition, and I’ll proudly proceed to support the squad arsenic Co-founder and Board member.”