First 3D-printed rocket launches, fails to reach orbit
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The unmanned Terran 1 rocket, which was billed as being less expensive to produce and fly, experienced an "anomaly" during its second-stage separation.
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Terran 1, the first 3D-printed rocket, takes off Wednesday from Launch Complex 16 in Cape Canaveral, Fl., on its third launch attempt. (Relativity Space via AFP)
The first 3D-printed rocket ever launched successfully on Wednesday, a half a victory for the California business that created the cutting-edge spaceship as the rocket was unable to enter orbit.
According to a live stream broadcast by aerospace startup Relativity Space, the unmanned Terran 1 rocket, which was billed as being less expensive to produce and fly, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 11:25 pm (03:25 GMT Thursday), but experienced an "anomaly" during second-stage separation as it streamed toward low Earth orbit.
While not succeeding in entering orbit, Wednesday's launch demonstrated that the rocket, whose mass is 85% made of 3D-printed components, could endure the stresses of takeoff.
The third time was the relative charm for the rocket launch, as it failed in two previous attempts. It had originally been scheduled to launch on March 8 but was delayed at the last minute due to propellant temperature issues.
Terran 1 takes flight — one of the most visually unique and beautiful launches I’ve ever seen, with a blue-purple-yellow-white plume throughout ascent.
— John Kraus (@johnkrausphotos) March 23, 2023
Congrats @relativityspace team on an impressive first launch! pic.twitter.com/0Iy0IGpTP1
A second attempt on March 11 was canceled owing to fuel pressure concerns.
According to Relativity Space, had Terran 1 succeeded in reaching low Earth orbit, it would have been the first privately funded methane-fueled spacecraft to do so.
Terran 1 is propelled by Aeon engines that run on liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas – the "propellants of the future," according to Relativity, capable of powering a Mars mission. It is worth noting that United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rockets and SpaceX's Starship both use the same fuel.
Terran 1 has nine 3D-printed Aeon 1 engines and one 3D-printed Aeon Vacuum engine in its first stage.
Relativity is also developing Terran R, a larger rocket capable of delivering a payload of 44,000 pounds (20,000 kgs) into low Earth orbit.
