Launch of Terran 1, The World’s First 3D Printed Rocket, Failed Again

Relativity Space failed to launch its 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket for the second time, three failed launches in one day. The company announced this on Twitter.

The launch attempt on March 11 was aborted due to weather conditions and safety concerns. The Terran 1 rocket, printed on a 3D printer, was to be launched for its first flight from at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport in Florida during a three-hour window on the afternoon of the 11th March  After three attempts, the launch failed due to problems with the engines and the interference of the boat in the safe sea zone of the spaceport.

During the second attempt to launch, the countdown was first stopped due to a boat that entered the launch area, and after another attempt, it was finally interrupted due to the fact that the nine Aeon engines of the first stage of the Terran 1 turned off almost immediately after launch, and then  problems with the pressure in the second stage fuel compartment were identified. Relativity Space said in a statement that the company will make another attempt to launch Terran 1 at a later date. The exact date and time of the launch has not yet been confirmed.

Reminding that the two-stage 33-meter Terran 1 rocket is equipped with nine Aeon engines in the first stage and one in the second stage. Like many rocket components, the engines are 3D printed. The engines use methane as the fuel and liquid oxygen as the oxidizer. According to the developers, the rocket can put up to 1250 kg of payload into low Earth orbit.