Eric Schmidt
Relativity Space
Eric Schmidt is the CEO of Relativity Space. Schmidt was born in 1955 in Washington, D.C. and educated at Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley.
Recent developments
AI summary of recent coverageRecent coverage has focused on Relativity Space's selection by NASA to develop and fly a privately-built Mars orbiter mission scheduled for 2028, which has drawn attention given the company's lack of orbital flight experience to date. The announcement has also highlighted Schmidt's 2025 takeover of the rocket company and plans for significant expansion near Cape Canaveral. Additional coverage has touched on Schmidt's technology philanthropy efforts and investment activities.
Summarized from the headlines below; see each source for the full story.
Key Facts
Source: Wikidata ↗- Born
- April 27, 1955 · Washington, D.C.
- Citizenship
- United States
- Education
- Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, Yorktown High School
- Awards
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor, IEEE Founders Medal
On CEOInsider
No feature yet. When we publish a feature, interview or cover story on Eric Schmidt, it will appear here — and tie into the news timeline.
In the News
12 stories- floridatoday.com·
Relativity Space plans major expansion, thousands of jobs near Cape Canaveral
- Scientific American·
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s Relativity Space selected for upcoming NASA Mars orbiter mission
- Space Daily·
In June 2026, Relativity Space — the rocket company Eric Schmidt took over in 2025, whose one rocket has never reached orbit — said it would privately build and fly a Mars orbiter in 2028, carrying NASA's Aeolus atmospheric instruments and doubling as a c
- Engadget·
NASA Is Sending An Orbiter To Mars With Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space
- The Next Web·
NASA picked Eric Schmidt’s Relativity Space to fly to Mars. It has never reached orbit.
- TechCrunch·
NASA picks Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX
- SpaceNews·
Relativity Space to privately develop Mars orbiter mission
- San Francisco Chronicle·
You’ve heard from my husband, Eric Schmidt, about AI. Now here’s my take
- Princeton University·
Eight promising projects receive Schmidt Transformative Technology Fund awards
- Los Angeles Business Journal·
LA500 2026: Eric Schmidt
- TMX Newsfile·
Planet Ventures Inc. Announces Strategic Investment in MCXGP Relativity Fund I, LLC - Gaining Exposure to Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space
- Bloomberg.com·
A Rocket Maker Burned Through Its Cash, Then Eric Schmidt Swooped In
Eric Schmidt: FAQ
- What company does Eric Schmidt lead?
- Eric Schmidt is CEO of Relativity Space.
- Where was Eric Schmidt educated?
- Eric Schmidt studied at Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, Yorktown High School.