Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
California-Made 3D-Printed Rocket Launch Ends in Failure, Crash
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 year ago on
March 23, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

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.

There was nothing aboard Relativity Space’s test flight except for the company’s first metal 3D print made six years ago.

The startup wanted to put the souvenir into a 125-mile-high orbit for several days before having it plunge through the atmosphere and burn up along with the upper stage of the rocket.

As it turned out, the first stage did its job following liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and separated as planned. But the upper stage appeared to ignite and then shut down, sending it crashing into the Atlantic.

It was the third launch attempt from what once was a missile site. Relativity Space came within a half-second of blasting off earlier this month, with the rocket’s engines igniting before abruptly shutting down.

Although 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.

Most of the 110-foot rocket, including its engines, came out of the company’s huge 3D printers in Long Beach.

Relativity Space said 3D-printed metal parts made up 85% of the rocket, named Terran. Larger versions of the rocket will have even more and also be reusable for multiple flights.

Other space companies also also rely on 3D-printing, but the pieces make up only a small part of their rockets.

Founded in 2015 by a pair of young aerospace engineers, Relativity Space has attracted the attention of investors and venture capitalists.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Crescent View West High Celebrates New Clovis Home

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog

DON'T MISS

Bulldogs’ Two-Position Standout Tommy Hopfe Signs With Rockies

DON'T MISS

Artists, Vendors Plan to Defy City’s ArtHop Crackdown

DON'T MISS

Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’

DON'T MISS

The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance

DON'T MISS

‘Fed Up’ Dyer, Councilmembers Unveil Plan to Crack Down on Street Campers

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Slam Trump’s ‘Worst Choice’ for VP Pick JD Vance

DON'T MISS

Companies Cut Prices to Boost Sales, Consumers Respond

DON'T MISS

Stay Cool, Fresno!

UP NEXT

Video Game Performers Will Go on Strike Over Artificial Intelligence Concerns

UP NEXT

Watch: Breaking Down Netanyahu’s Speech in Congress

UP NEXT

Uvalde, Texas, School Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Charges of Failing to Protect Kids During Attack

UP NEXT

Arson Suspect Named as Park Fire Near Chico Triples in Size

UP NEXT

Eye-Popping Construction Costs Intensify California’s Chronic Housing Shortage

UP NEXT

Harris Tells Netanyahu ‘It Is Time’ to Get Hostage Deal Done and End Gaza War

UP NEXT

Child Online Safety Bill Scales Senate Hurdle, but Fate Remains Uncertain

UP NEXT

A Man Got Third-Degree Burns Walking on Blazing Hot Sand in Death Valley, Rangers Say

UP NEXT

Biden and Netanyahu Meet With a Show of Amiable Relations Despite Tensions

UP NEXT

CalFire Makes Quick Arrest of Arson Suspect in Explosive Park Fire Near Chico

Artists, Vendors Plan to Defy City’s ArtHop Crackdown

2 hours ago

Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’

2 hours ago

The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance

3 hours ago

‘Fed Up’ Dyer, Councilmembers Unveil Plan to Crack Down on Street Campers

3 hours ago

House Republicans Slam Trump’s ‘Worst Choice’ for VP Pick JD Vance

3 hours ago

Companies Cut Prices to Boost Sales, Consumers Respond

3 hours ago

Stay Cool, Fresno!

4 hours ago

Warner Bros. Discovery Sues NBA for Not Accepting Its Matching Offer

4 hours ago

Tanker Plane Crash Kills Firefighting Pilot in Oregon as Western Wildfires Spread

4 hours ago

Will Bonta Election Lawsuit Reverse the Will of Fresno County Voters?

4 hours ago

Crescent View West High Celebrates New Clovis Home

The arch of colorful balloons over the doorway of a storefront on Shaw Avenue in Clovis was a clue that something exciting was happening on ...

28 mins ago

28 mins ago

Crescent View West High Celebrates New Clovis Home

1 hour ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog

1 hour ago

Bulldogs’ Two-Position Standout Tommy Hopfe Signs With Rockies

2 hours ago

Artists, Vendors Plan to Defy City’s ArtHop Crackdown

2 hours ago

Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’

3 hours ago

The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance

3 hours ago

‘Fed Up’ Dyer, Councilmembers Unveil Plan to Crack Down on Street Campers

3 hours ago

House Republicans Slam Trump’s ‘Worst Choice’ for VP Pick JD Vance

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend