The launch of the first 3D-printed rocket was finally called off after several attempts on Saturday, dealing yet another setback for the private owner of this innovative spacecraft that is touted as less expensive to produce and fly.
Engines began firing on the unmanned Terran 1 rocket, built by California start-up Relativity Space, when an “automation” issue caused the company to cancel liftoff for the second time in less than a week.
Shortly thereafter, the company attempted the launch again from Cape Canaveral in Florida, but had to abort due to pressure problems in the rocket’s second stage, the company wrote on Twitter.
“The team gave it ALL today and we tried to do it on our next try,” Relativity said, adding that the new release date would be announced soon.
At one point during the three-hour launch window, which began at 1:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. GMT), the countdown was halted when a private boat breached a risk zone.
A pre-launch scheduled for last Wednesday was also postponed to the last minute due to propellant temperature issues.
When lifted off, Terran 1 will be ready to reach low Earth orbit after eight minutes, on a journey designed to collect data and demonstrate that a 3D-printed rocket can withstand the rigors of launch and flight in space.
If the rocket manages to stay in low Earth orbit, it will be the first privately financed vehicle to use methane as fuel and complete it on the first try, according to Relativity.
The Terran 1 is not expected to carry cargo for its maiden flight, but the rocket will eventually be capable of carrying 1,250 kilograms into low-Earth orbit.
The rocket is 33.5 meters high and 2.2 meters in diameter.
85% of its mass is 3D printed with metal alloys, including its engines.
It is the largest 3D-printed object ever built, according to the Long Beach-based company, and is made on the world’s largest 3D printers.
– Built in 60 days –
Relativity’s goal is to produce a rocket that is 95% built using 3D printers.
Terran 1 is powered with Aeon engines that use liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas, “the thrusters of the future,” capable of eventually providing enough fuel for a trip to Mars, Relativity says.
Vulcan rockets developed by the United Launch Alliance and SpaceX’s Starship use that same fuel.
Terran 1 has nine 3D-printed Aeon engines in its first stage and one 3D-printed Aeon Vacuum engine in its second stage.
Relativity is also building a larger rocket, the Terran R, capable of mounting a 20,000-kilogram payload in low-Earth orbit.
The first launch of a Terran R, designed to be completely reusable, is scheduled for next year from Cape Canaveral.
A satellite operator can wait years for a seat on an Arianespace or SpaceX rocket, so Relativity Space hopes to speed up the process with its 3D-printed rockets.
“In the long term, one of the biggest benefits of 3D printing is the ability to more quickly democratize spaces due to the incredible cost-effectiveness, radical flexibility, and customization,” the company says.
Relativity says its 3D-printed rockets use 100 times fewer parts than traditional ones and can be built from raw materials in as little as 60 days.
Relativity has already signed contracts for commercial launches worth $1.65 billion, mostly for the Terran R, according to CEO Tim Ellis, who co-founded the company in 2015.
“The medium and heavy load segment is clearly where the biggest market opportunities are for the rest of the decade, due to a huge shortage of launches in this type of load,” Ellis wrote on Twitter.