First 3D-printed rocket (using additive manufacturing techniques) has taken flight from Cape Canaveral. Terran-1 launched from Complex 16 at 23:25 local time on Wednesday (03:25 GMT on Thursday). The rocket, which is the largest ever 3D printed object, is 110 feet (33.5 meters) tall with a diameter of 7.5 feet (2.2 meters). The second stage not worked as planned not completing the mission and the upper part of the rocket came down in the Atlantic Ocean. The rocket was produced by California-based Relativity Space. Ever as a failed mission, the launch provided many data to be used in the future.
The company still characterizes the mission as an accomplishment. In terms of size and performance, Terran-1 is a modest vehicle capable of putting one-and-a-quarter tonnes of satellite payload into a low-Earth orbit. The future project, Terran-R, is more ambitious, capable of putting a payload of 44,000 pounds (20,000 kg) into low Earth orbit, and will be reusable. It could make its debut in 2025. Relativity Space has signed future launch commitments with satellite operators worth more than $1.2bn. 3D-printed rockets use 100 times fewer parts than traditional rockets. A 3D-printed rocket can be made and ready within weeks.
