Printed rocket may launch June 1

While many rocket manufacturers use 3D-printing technology to create components for spacecraft, the first entirely printed rocket may take flight as early as June 1. That was announced by Long Beach, Calif.-based Relativity Space. The company successfully completed a 60-second full-duration mission duty cycle test for stage two of its rocket, the Terran 1, at Stennis Space Center, Miss., in April. The test marks the first time a 3D-printed stage has undergone acceptance testing. Relativity also completed acceptance testing for all nine Aeon 1 engines for stage one of the rocket. The company completed its first full-duration mission duty cycle of the Aeon, which ran for 310 seconds, in January. Both stages will now be shipped to Relativity’s launch pad, LC-16, at Cape Canaveral. (Source: Long Beach Business Journal, 05/18/22)