The Relativity Space company has succeeded in launching its 3D printed rocket, the Terran 1. It has taken several tries, but the results are relatively satisfactory. Why do we describe it this way? Well, despite successfully taking off from Cape Canaveral this Wednesday night, the rocket failed to reach Earth orbit.
What went wrong with Relativity Space’s 3D-printed rocket? The reason is still being studied, but according to reports, the second stage engine only managed to ignite momentarily. However, the company promises to clarify the matter in the coming days.
Although it has failed to reach orbit with its Terran 1, Relativity Space considers the mission a complete success. The 3D-printed rocket managed to pass the Max-Q – maximum dynamic pressure – test, in which great stress was expected to be exerted on the body. Despite all the variables, the vehicle has withstood its journey to the celestial dome.
Relativity Space remains at the top of the race to take its Terran 1, a 3D-printed rocket, into space
Despite all the progress made with its Terran 1, Relativity Space is under great pressure to complete the tests successfully. After all, have already signed contracts to launch the OneWeb satellites and carry out Impulse Space’s commercial mission to Mars. Meanwhile, rivals such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Rocket Lab are advancing their research and could start eating the company’s 3D-printed rocket land.
It is not the first time that Relativity Space has faced problems. The previous two releases of the Terran 1 also met with setbacks., such as difficulties in cooling the propellant in time for its first takeoff. On another occasion, a ship astray and a software glitch caused an automatic engine shutdown shortly after being activated.
But Terran 1 is just a touchdown of the actual mission. In 2024, the Terran R, another 3D-printed Relativity Space rocket, is scheduled to launch and that it would be totally reusable. The company wants to show that, with this manufacturing technology, it is easier and faster to produce this type of rocket, which in turn would reduce the future costs of putting satellites into orbit.