3d printers They are the future of many disciplines. They make all kinds of objects, from food to organs. This technology is having a positive impact on many disciplines, and of course the space industry cannot be left out. Thus the company Relative space already built first 3d printed rocket stories.
baptized as Terran 1was supposed to be launched on a test flight last Wednesday, March 8. However, due to engine temperature problems, the decision was made to abort the mission and reschedule it to Saturday. 11th of March.
Even without being launched, this rocket has already gone down in history, due to the fact that more 85% of its structure It is made using 3D printers. Even their engines, which run on liquid methane. This could be the future of the space industry, although it will first need to be seen if it outperforms its test flights. In addition, if all goes well, they plan to put another larger and fully reusable rocket into circulation in the future. Who knows? Maybe the future is there.
3D printers to launch rockets into space
Terran 1 is a rocket 33 meters highdesigned to launch satellites into orbit. Thanks to the structure obtained using 3D printers, it will be able to carry a payload 1250 kg into low earth orbit and 900 kg into a synchronous orbit with the sun.
The test flight was canceled only 70 seconds to launch, so next Saturday will try again. From what they say from space.comthe launch window for that day will be 13:00 to 16:00 ET. That is, between 19:00 and 22:00 Spanish Peninsular Time and from 12:00 to 15:00 in Mexico.
If all goes well, then it will be time to look at Terran R. It will also be made on 3D printers, but it will be larger, so 66 metersand completely reusable. In addition, it is planned that it will be able to carry a payload over 20,000 kg. A whole colossus that could start working right now in 2024.
But you have to go step by step. In the meantime, Terran 1 will have another chance on Saturday. Relativity Space engineers are already working to ensure that the problems that caused the abort on the first try do not recur. As we’ve seen with all the failed Artemis I launch attempts, it’s better to be safe and not lose the rocket than to launch it safely.
With Artemis, the ability to return humans to the moon would be greatly delayed. And with Terran 1, we would have to restart the 3D printers to build it again. pioneer rocket. Therefore, it will be better to go slowly and with good handwriting. Although, even if something goes wrong, the company will still be optimistic. The CEO explained it, Tim Ellison his Twitter account: “This launch will not define our long-term success.”
So far, they have already demonstrated another of the many applications of 3D printing and they plan to keep doing it. This is the most important thing for them. The rest of the bridges will be thrown as they are achieved.
Source: Hiper Textual
