Larger versions of the rocket will have even more and also be reusable for multiple flights. Relativity Space said 3D-printed metal parts made up 85% of the rocket, named Terran. Most of the 110-foot (33-meter) rocket, including its engines, came out of the company's huge 3D printers in Long Beach, California.

Relativity Space came within a half-second of blasting off earlier this month, with the rocket's engines igniting before abruptly shutting down.Īlthough 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. It was the third launch attempt from what once was a missile site. But the upper stage appeared to ignite and then shut down, sending it crashing into the Atlantic. The startup wanted to put the souvenir into a 125-mile-high (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.Īs it turned out, the first stage did its job following liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and separated as planned.

There was nothing aboard Relativity Space's test flight except for the company's first metal 3D print made six years ago. A rocket made almost entirely of 3D-printed parts made its launch debut Wednesday night, lifting off amid fanfare but failing three minutes into flight - far short of orbit.

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