Mar 28, 2018

Startup that 3D prints rockets has raised $35 million

Source: Relativity website

Relativity, a startup developing an “automated process for manufacturing and launching entire rockets from conception to production,” has raised $35 million in new venture capital funding.

Why it matters: If successful, Relativity could help slash space launch costs because it not only 3D-prints the rockets, but also most of the boosters.

Playground Global led the investment Series B round, and was joined by return backers Social Capital, YC Continuity and Mark Cuban.

Go deeper at Space News: "The company has what it says is more than $1 billion in letters of intent and memoranda of understanding for launches, although none have yet been converted into firm contracts."

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David Nather

16 mins ago - Politics & Policy

The biggest crisis since 1968

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Bettmann/Contributor

The year 1968 has been on a lot of people’s minds lately — another year of protests, violence and upheaval that seemed to be tearing the nation apart.

Yes, but: This crisis also has moments we’ve never seen before — and some historians and experts say the differences suggest that 2020 doesn't compare well at all.

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Bob Herman, Andrew Witherspoon

56 mins ago - Health

Coronavirus hospitalizations keep falling

Data: COVID Tracking Project, Harvard Global Health Institute; Note: Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee and Puerto Rico have not reported hospitalizations consistently. Chart: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to decline, particularly in New York and other northeastern states that were among the hardest hit by the virus.

Yes, but: Some states are still recording stagnant or rising amounts of hospitalizations.

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Rebecca Falconer, Orion Rummler

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Updates: George Floyd protests continue past curfews

Protesters on Tuesday evening by the metal fence recently erected outside the White House. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Largely peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black people continued Tuesday night across the U.S. for the eighth consecutive day.

The latest: Protesters were out en masse after curfews were in force in areas including Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles and Portland — one of the cities where there was a late-night flash-point between police and protesters.

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