Relativity Space’s 3D printed rocket does not lift off on its second attempt at launch

Another day, another scrub for the world’s first 3D-printed rocket. On Saturday, Relativity Space’s Terran 1 rocket failed to get off the ground after two launch attempts. It was a day filled with false starts. Relativity Space had initially planned for a launch at 1:45PM ET on Wednesday. However, the window was later extended to 2:45PM ET. due to “upper-level wind violations.”

After the countdown restarted, all was going well until a boat entered the spacecraft’s range. Once the countdown resumed again, the company called a launch abort at t-minus zero after the spacecraft’s nine first-stage Aeon engines roared to life and then cut off almost immediately after. Relativity Space claimed that the 2:45PM abort was due to a violation of the launch commit criteria. It stated that it would fly the rocket once more at 4PM ET just as the launch window was closing for the day. Relativity Space called an abort the second time around before Terran 1 could ignite its engines. At the time of writing, Relativity did not give a reason but claimed that the rocket was in good health and that more information would be available soon.

Terran 1 is a milestone for spaceflight technology, provided it can be lifted off the ground. While the rocket isn’t completely 3D-printed, 85 percent of its mass is – including its entire structure and 10 first- and second-stage engines. In theory, Terran 1’s manufacturing process produces a spacecraft that is cheaper and faster to make. Relativity Space claims it is able to build a Terran 1 rocket within 60 days. The exclusive missions will run around $12 million. The company plans to 3D-print around 90% of future spacecraft.