World’s first 3D printed rocket fails to reach orbit
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On Wednesday, March 22, American startup Relativity Space launched its Terran 1 rocket, which it bills as “the world’s first 3D printed rocket.” The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 11:30 p.m. local time, but shortly after launch, the rocket suffered engine problems and was unable to enter orbit. At the same time, in Relativity Space called the first flight was a “huge victory”, showing the possibility of launching a 3D-printed rocket. It is not yet known when the startup plans to conduct the next rocket launch.
Relativity Space has been developing rockets, most of which can be 3D printed, since 2015. Terran 1 is a 33 m long rocket, 85% of its parts, including engines, are made using 3D printing. Such a rocket is produced in just two months – while conventional technology takes about two years to produce a rocket. Liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas are used as fuel. The Terran 1 has a carrying capacity of only 1.25 tons and is designed to put light satellites into orbit. Relativity Space is also working on a more powerful, reusable 20-tonne Terran R rocket. The company is valued at $4.2 billion and already has $1.7 billion worth of satellite launch contracts.
The launch of Terran 1 was originally scheduled for early March, but was delayed several times due to technical problems and bad weather. This time, after the fuel in the rocket’s first stage burned out and it separated, the second-stage engine shut down prematurely, so the rocket couldn’t reach orbit. Earlier, Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis said that he would be happy if the rocket could be launched into orbit the first time, however, passing the point of maximum aerodynamic drag, the so-called MAX-Q, would be a success. This point, at which the rocket is under maximum pressure, is passed approximately 80 seconds after launch – the Terran 1 managed to pass it.
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