A US company looking to launch the first 3D-printed rocket has been forced to pause the mission due to technical issues.
Relativity Space, one of several startups around the world looking to launch 3D-printed rockets, automatically aborted the flight at the last minute due to temperature issues during the final countdown.
Billed as the world's first fully 3D-printed rocket, the Terran 1 launch vehicle was counting down at the launchpad at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force station.
Today’s launch attempt for #GLHF Terran 1 was scrubbed due to exceeding launch commit criteria limits for propellant thermal conditions on stage 2. The team is working diligently toward our next launch window in the coming days. Check back here soon for updates on the launch… https://t.co/LxWJzfZ9BI pic.twitter.com/M4RVu6EkR8
— Relativity Space (@relativityspace) March 8, 2023
It said using liquid natural gas means it "needs time to get to the right concentration", with its next launch attempt window confirmed for this Saturday, March 11 from 1pm ET.
Made using what is said to be the world’s largest metal 3D printer, Relativity's rockets have 100 times fewer parts than conventional rockets and can be made in under 60 days.
The UK has at least two companies looking to launch 3D-printed rockets, though only their engines are fully 3D-printed, Orbex and Skyrora.
Based Forres, north-east Scotland, Orbex is looking to launch its re-usable two-stage 'micro launcher' rocket, which is designed to be 30% lighter and 20% more efficient than any other vehicle in the small launcher category, from its very own launchpad. Other innovations include super-lightweight fuel tanks and a new low-mass 'reusability technology' based on carbon fibre.
Further south in Edinburgh, Skyrora is aiming to launch an orbital rocket with 3D printed engines at SaxaVord spaceport on Shetland this year after its own technical hitches last autumn, though it might be usurped as the first vertical orbital launch from UK soil by a German company, however.