US launches world’s first 3D-printed rocket
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On the evening of March 22, the world’s first 3D-printed Terran 1 launch vehicle took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. About it informs NBC news channel.
The rocket launched at 23.25 Eastern time (7.25 Moscow time). However, after a few minutes of flight, a problem arose in the upper stage, due to which the ship could not enter orbit. It is noted that the rocket did not carry cargo or satellites.
The mission was called Good Luck, Have Fun (“Good luck, have fun.” – Approx. “Vedomosti”). The purpose of the launch was to study how the launch vehicle functions on the launch pad and during flight.
The rocket is being developed by Relativity Space. The company said that, despite the failed launch, the engineers were able to collect enough data to make sure that “the flight of rockets printed on a 3D printer is possible.” They added that in the coming days, experts will study what happened to the rocket during the flight.
On Twitter, Relativity Space reported that the Terran 1 had successfully cleared maximum aerodynamic drag (MAX-Q). Now the company will develop the next Terran R spacecraft.
NBC News notes that rockets with 3D printed parts have flown into space before. Terran 1 differs from its predecessors in that it consists of approximately 85% of such parts, even the ship’s engines were printed on the printer. Relativity Space said they intend to increase the figure to 95%.
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