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Up up and away - 28th March 2023
A 3D printed rocket flew into space for the first time on March 23, 2023. It's called Terran 1 and was made by Relativity Space.
The rocket measures 33.5 metres tall and 2.2 metres across. Most of Terran 1 was made with a 3D printer. This special machine prints objects. Unfortunately, the rocket had an issue and didn't go as high as was planned.
Relativity Space wants to use 3D printing and artificial intelligence to produce rockets faster and cheaper. It also plans to build a bigger rocket – Terran R – that can be reused. These rockets will use special fuel and technology. Hopefully, they can get as far as Mars.
The Terran rockets will be used to transport things into space, like food, water, and tools. This was the first time the Terran 1 rocket went into space. Terran 1's mission failed, but Relativity Space is happy. The data from the flight's very useful. Arwa Tizani Kelly is the technical programme manager.
Arwa Tizani Kelly: "As you heard from our launch director, we did have an anomaly with stage two during flight. But maiden launches are always exciting and today's flight was no exception. Although we didn't reach orbit, we significantly exceeded our key objectives for this first launch, and that objective was to gather data at max q, one of the most demanding phases of flight, and achieve stage separation."
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