Status: 03/23/2023 09:07 am
According to the operating company, the “Terran 1” rocket is the largest object ever produced with a 3D printer. But she did not set another record – on the first test flight, “Terran 1” did not go into orbit.
The world’s first 3D-printed rocket didn’t go into orbit on its first test flight as planned. “Terran 1” took off from the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, in the US state of Florida – but did not reach the expected height. In fact, it was planned that “Terran 1” would reach low earth orbit after eight minutes.
“Anomaly” in the second part of the flight
To justify why that didn’t work, a live feed distributed by the operating company Relativity Space said that there was an “anomaly” in the second part of the flight.
The purpose of the first test flight was therefore to collect data and show that a 3D-printed rocket can withstand launch and travel pressures. According to the operating company, this was successful: Relativity Space wrote on Twitter that the launch of “Terran 1” had confirmed the technology and would allow the launch of the next rocket “Terran R”. This is the ultimate proof of the new approach to additive manufacturing, the message continues.
Made of metal alloys
85% of the mass of the “Terran 1” rocket was made with a 3D printer of metallic alloys. According to Californian space startup Relativity Space, “Terran 1” is the largest object ever produced with a 3D printer.