After the first two attempts to launch the world’s first 3D-printed rocket earlier this month were scrubbed, Long Beach-based Relativity Space has announced its third effort will come Wednesday, March 22.
Dubbed “Good Luck, Have Fun,” the mission’s launch window is 7-10 p.m. PDT from Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral.
The Long Beach-based company’s first attempt on March 8 experienced several delays on the pad and was ultimately scrubbed due to an issue with the fuel temperature in the rocket’s second stage.
Three days later, the second attempt came 0.5 seconds shy of engine ignition when internal systems aborted the launch. Relativity’s team quickly recycled and reset the clock for another attempt, but the mission was finally scrubbed at the end of the launch window due to a fuel pressure issue.
Relativity’s first iteration of the Terran 1 rocket, which was manufactured in Long Beach, is 85% 3D-printed by mass, making it the largest 3D-printed object to exist, according to the company. Upon liftoff, it will become the largest 3D-printed object to attempt orbital flight.
Future Terran 1 rockets are expected to be 95% 3D-printed.
First-ever (almost) fully 3D-printed rocket, manufactured in Long Beach, to blast off next week