If you’re reading this, the first 3D printed rocket may have blasted off. Relativity Space is a company trying to revolutionize how rockets are built.
The company has been trying to get its 3D printed rocket off the ground since 2019. They are really, really close.
Yesterday’s launch was aborted due to an automatic launch shutdown with 70 seconds on the clock. The launch was scrubbed due to excessive temperature conditions for the rocket’s fuel. Rocket fuel is highly flammable. It’s cooled using liquid nitrogen and is why you see ice formations breaking off rockets during the launch sequence.
Today’s launch attempt for #GLHF Terran 1 was scrubbed due to exceeding launch commit criteria limits for propellant thermal conditions on stage 2. The team is working diligently toward our next launch window in the coming days. Check back here soon for updates on the launch… https://t.co/LxWJzfZ9BI pic.twitter.com/M4RVu6EkR8
— Relativity Space (@relativityspace) March 8, 2023
The launch is expected to go off today provide there are no more glitches.
Relativity Space is saying their 110ft tall rocket will be the largest 3D-printed object to achieve Earth orbit. The company believes printing rockets will result in cheaper flights because rocket parts can be printed instead of assembled. The average rocket body section may contain 3,000 parts and printing consolidates a great deal.
Relativity’s big goal is to get to Mars. Let’s hope it happens.