World’s first 3D printed rocket all set for its maiden voyage

In today’s tech-driven world, nothing seems to be impossible anymore. Yet, when you hear about a 3D printed rocket, you pause for a moment to appreciate and understand the significance of the breakthrough.  

Well, that is exactly what happened recently. Turns out, the world’s first ever 3D printed rocket is now ready for its maiden voyage from Florida. Named Terran 1, it has been designed and developed by California-based aerospace start-up Relativity Space (founded in 2015) that aims to put more satellites into the Lower Earth Orbit in the near future and compete with the likes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.  

As per several media sources, this innovative spacecraft is all set to reach the Lower Earth Orbit only 8 minutes after its lift off. Once settled, it will gather atmospheric data and demonstrate that it can withstand the forces of blast off and space travel.  

Being deemed as the largest ever 3D printed object, it is 110 feet tall and has a diameter of 7.5 feet. More than 85 percent of it (including the engines) has been 3D printed using metal alloys. Its parent company now aims to make a 95 percent 3D printed spacecraft soon.  

For its first flight, Terran 1 is not carrying any payload, however, it does have the capacity of carrying 2755 pounds into the Lower Earth Orbit.  

What’s interesting is that, if the rocket manages to reach the orbit, it will be the first privately funded vehicle using “the propellants of the future” namely liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas as opposed to the usual methane fuel, that too on its first try. If this venture is a success, Relativity Space aims to use these sustainable fuels to eventually use for a Mars voyage.  

Terran 1, which has nine 3D printed Aeon 1 engines, and one 3D printed Aeon Vacuum engine was built in a 60-day duration and is cost-effective, radically flexible and customisable to both produce and fly in comparison to traditional rockets. In fact, it uses 100 times smaller number of parts than any other rocket.  

The company is also currently building a larger rocket called Terran R that will have the payload capacity of 44000 pounds and is designed to be fully reusable. It is scheduled to have its first flight next year from Florida as well.