Relativity Space cancels first attempt to launch world’s first 3D-printed rocket after miscarriage
Space startup Relativity Space canceled the first-ever flight of its new 3D-printed rocket on Wednesday (March 8) after a last-minute shutdown and temperature issues during the countdown.
Relativity Space’s Terran 1 launch vehicle, billed as the the world’s first 3D printed rocketexperienced an automatic abort approximately 70 seconds before a first launch attempt at 2:40 p.m. EST (1940 GMT) at its Florida launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
As the company attempted to reset for a second launch attempt on Wednesday, it ultimately had to pull out “due to exceeding launch engagement criteria limits” for fuel temperatures on the rocket’s second stage, officials wrote in a Twitter update (opens in a new tab).
“We’re cleaning up launch operations for the day, thanks for playing,” the company’s launch director said during the countdown.
Related: Relativity Space will launch satellite ‘tugs’ on a 3D-printed rocket
“While we obviously had high hopes of sending our Terran 1 today, we’re going to continue to take a measured approach so that we can ultimately see this rocket to Max Q and beyond,” said Arwa Tizani Kelly, technical test and launch program manager for Relativity Space, during the launch event. live launch commentary (Max Q refers to the period of maximum dynamic pressure on a rocket during launch.)
The company has yet to set a new launch date and will announce it on Twitter as soon as it becomes available, representatives said.
“We will be working towards our next launch window in the next few days. Due to the conditioning of the methane/liquid natural gas propellant, it will be a few days before our next attempt,” said Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis. wrote on Twitter (opens in a new tab) after scrubbing. “Forward, and proud of the team today for a professional and smooth first operation!”
Relativity Space’s first Terran 1 missioncalled “Good Luck, Have Fun” or GLHF for short, is a shakedown mission for a 110-foot-tall (33-meter) rocket designed to launch small satellites in low Earth orbit. The two-stage rocket is novel in that 85% of its structure by mass is 3D printed, including its nine first-stage Aeon-1 engines, which are powered by liquid methane in another US orbital first.
Terran 1 is designed to carry payloads of up to 2,700 pounds (1,250 kilograms) to low Earth orbit and can carry 1,980 pounds (900 kg) to sun-synchronous orbit at a cost of approximately $12 million per flight, Relativity Space said. The company is also working on a larger fully reusable rocket called Terran R designed to stand 216 feet tall (66 m) and launch more than 44,000 pounds (20,000 kg) into orbit with its Aeon-R engines from 2024.
“Regardless of tomorrow’s result, we’re still in the first innings of a 9-inning game,” said Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis. wrote on Twitter (opens in a new tab) before the Terran 1 launch attempt. “This launch will not singularly define our long-term success.”
Ellis said he would be happy to see if Terran 1 can successfully go through Max Q, as it will prove that the company’s use of additive manufacturing technology to 3D print rockets is viable.
“This launch will, however, provide us with useful data and information that will allow us to better prepare for our next fight, and is a fantastic learning platform to develop technologies directly applicable to Terran R, giving us a lot of confidence. leading the way in the race to be the next big launch company,” Ellis added. “Excited to show the world what we’ve got!
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