You might soon see a milestone moment in 3D printing. Startup
Relativity Space expects to launch Terran 1, billed as the largest 3D-printed object to attempt orbital flight, at 1PM Eastern. You can watch the Cape Canaveral launch of the inaugural "Good Luck Have Fun" mission through a
livestream starting at 12PM. The rocket doesn't include a customer payload. Terran 1 isn't completely 3D-printed, but 85 percent of its mass is — including the structure, its nine Aeon first-stage engines and lone Aeon Vac second-stage engine. Combined with autonomous robotics, the construction process theoretically leads to fewer parts, a more reliable design, cheaper launches and quick assembly times. Relativity claims it can build a Terran 1 from raw materials within 60 days, and even an exclusive mission costs
just $12 million. The combination of liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas for propulsion also helps with long-term reusability efforts. It can carry up to 1,250kg (2,756lbs) into low Earth orbit, and 700kg (1,543lbs) to a high-altitude mission.
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I dreamed of the surreal spectacle of a 3D printer floating in space.
