Good Luck, Have Fun (Terran 1)
22 March 2023
Space Launch Complex 16
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
The world's first 3-D printed rocket lifted off on its inaugural flight at 11:25 p.m. on 22 March 2023 from Space Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Fueled by liquid methane and liquid oxygen, Relativity Space's Terran 1 rocket flew nominally through stage separation when the second stage engine suffered an anomaly causing the second stage to fail to reach orbit. The rocket was not carrying a payload; the flight test was designed to collect as much data as possible on the vehicle's performance.
ON-PAD ABORT - 11 MARCH 2023
The first Terran 1 launch attempt at 2:42 p.m. on 11 March 2023 ended in an on-pad abort when the engines ignited and then shutdown. Relativity Space stated that a problem was detected in the stage separation automation that resulted in the abort at T-.5 seconds. A second attempt at 4:00 p.m. led to a scrub at T-45 seconds when low fuel pressure was registered in the second stage.
LAUNCH - 20 MARCH 2023
The flare stack, seen here in the foreground, is used to burn off excess fuel.
The arc ends abruptly with the failure of the second stage engine.
EXCERPTS FROM RELATIVITY SPACE MEDIA RELEASES

As a next generation launch vehicle, Terran 1 is designed for the future of constellation deployment and resupply. Its ground-breaking, unique and software-driven architecture is capable of accommodating satellite customers’ evolving needs, while also providing the most agile and affordable launch service on the market. Designed and printed in the USA, Terran 1 is the most innovative product to emerge from the aerospace manufacturing industry since the dawn of privatization of space 20 years ago.

Our engines, Aeon 1, Aeon R and Aeon Vac, are 3D-printed, enhancing mission reliability by reducing part count in engine combustion chambers, igniters, turbopumps, reaction control thrusters, and vehicle pressurization systems.

All Aeon engines use propellants of the future, liquid oxygen + liquid natural gas, which are not only the best for rocket propulsion, but also the easiest to eventually make on Mars. To date, Aeon has completed 2,000+ test fires.

RIGHT: The Terran 1 rocket. Image Credit: Relativity Space

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