Terran 1 Orbital Launch Planned for March 8
Relativity Space has set March 8 for the first launch of its Terran 1 3D printed rocket into orbit.
"Now we are on the launch pad almost ready to go with the world’s first 3D printed rocket."
Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis via Twitter
The Mission … dubbed "GLHF" (Good Luck, Have Fun), is scheduled from Launch Complex 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida with the launch window opening at 1300ET on March 8, 2023. This launch of Terran 1 is the first orbital attempt by Relativity and will not include a customer payload.
According to information posted on the company website, as a two-stage, 110ft. tall, 7.5 ft. wide, expendable rocket, Terran 1 is the largest 3D printed object to exist and to attempt orbital flight. Working towards its goal of being 95% 3D printed, Relativity’s first Terran 1 vehicle is 85% 3D printed by mass. Terran 1 has nine Aeon engines on its first stage, and one Aeon Vac on its second stage.
Like its structure, all Relativity engines are entirely 3D printed, and use liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid natural gas (LNG), which are not only the best for rocket propulsion, but also for reusability, and the easiest to eventually transition to methane on Mars.
Terran 1 Launch License Details
Relativity was recently granted a launch license from the FAA which states:
'Flight' shall mean the flight of a Terran 1 launch vehicle, commencing with ignition of the first stage from Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida,for the purposes of transporting payloads to low Earth orbit. A flight ends upon Relativity Space, Inc.’s last exercise of control over the vehicle, including when Relativity Space, Inc. commands the passivation of the upper stage, after vehicle components impact on Earth, after activities necessary to return vehicle components to a safe condition on the ground after impact, or after activities necessary to return the site to a safe condition, whichever occurs latest.
The license also includes authorization for a pre-launch first stage hot fire test, which Relativity told SpaceNews.com it does not intend to conduct.
In a Tweet on February 22, Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis said when the company began, a mentor, Sam Altman, "told us we were absolutely crazy for trying to simultaneously invent a brand new manufacturing technology and an orbital rocket, which is already super hard. Now we are on the launch pad almost ready to go with the world’s first 3D printed rocket."
(Source: Relativity Space website and as cited. Images provided by Relativity Space)