3D-printed rocket launch debut ends in failure and no orbit

Most of the 33-metre rocket, including its engines, came out of huge printers in Long Beach, California

A rocket made almost entirely of 3D-printed parts made its launch debut on Wednesday night, lifting off amid fanfare but failing three minutes into flight — far short of orbit.

There was nothing aboard Relativity Space’s test flight except for the company’s first metal 3D print made six years ago.

The start-up wanted to put the souvenir into a 200-kilometre-high orbit for several days before having it plunge through the atmosphere and burn up along with the upper stage of the rocket.

As it turned out, the first stage did its job following lift-off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and separated as planned. But the upper stage appeared to ignite and then shut down, sending it crashing into the Atlantic Ocean.

It was the third launch attempt from what once was a missile site. Relativity Space came within a half-second of blasting off earlier this month, with the rocket's engines igniting before abruptly shutting down.

Although the upper stage malfunctioned and the mission did not reach orbit, “maiden launches are always exciting and today's flight was no exception”, Relativity Space launch commentator Arwa Tizani Kelly said after Wednesday's launch.

Most of the 33-metre rocket, including its engines, came out of the company’s huge 3D printers in Long Beach, California.

Relativity Space said 3D-printed metal parts made up 85 per cent of the rocket, named Terran. Larger versions of the rocket will have even more and also be reusable for several flights.

Other space companies also rely on 3D-printing, but the pieces make up only a small part of their rockets.

Founded in 2015 by a pair of young aerospace engineers, Relativity Space has attracted the attention of investors and venture capitalists.

The launch of the world's first 3D-printed rocket, the Terran 1, is scheduled for Saturday, March 11. AFP

The rocket, made by a company called Relativity Space, is rolled out to the launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in Florida. Reuters

Liftoff of the rocket had been scheduled for March 8, but was postponed at the last minute because of propellant temperature issues. AFP

The Terran 1 rocket on the launch pad, at Launch Complex 16, in Cape Canaveral. AFP

The rocket is set to reach low Earth orbit eight minutes after blast-off, to gather data and demonstrate that it can withstand the rigours of liftoff and space flight. Reuters

If the rocket manages to attain low Earth orbit, it will be the first privately-funded vehicle using methane fuel to do so on its first try, according to Relativity. AP