![]() ![]() "The 3D printing technology is a big advantage because we can test and iterate and then reprint and rebuild changes in the design very quickly, with fewer limitations on factory tooling and traditional manufacturing techniques," he said. The company said Wednesday's liftoff was still a "huge win, with many historic firsts," and that it would sift through the flight data to determine what went wrong.Īhead of the launch, Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis told NPR that getting to test mission viability alone is a testament to the versatility of printing rocket parts. But in Stage 2, the engine appeared to lose ignition, causing Terran 1 to plummet prematurely.Ī video of the launch shows Terran 1 successfully making it to Max Q before shutting down Relatively Space YouTube ![]() The rocket did undergo a successful liftoff, completing Stage 1 separation and meeting Max Q (a state of maximum dynamic pressure) as planned. The plan for the test mission was to send Terran 1 into a 125-mile-high (200-kilometer) orbit for a few days before plunging back through the atmosphere, incinerating itself on the way down. ![]() About 85% of the rocket - including its nine engines - is 3D-printed at the company's factory in Long Beach, Calif. The launch still marks a giant leap for its maker, California-based startup Relativity Space, and for the future of inexpensive space travel. ![]() The uncrewed vessel, Terran 1, blasted off on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., before crashing back down into the Atlantic Ocean. The Terran 1 rocket, made largely of 3D-printed metal parts, launched successfully but failed to reach orbit on Wednesday.Ī rocket made almost entirely of printed metal parts made its debut launch Wednesday night, but failed after three minutes of flight - far short of reaching orbit. ![]()
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