Terran 1
{{Use DMY|date=February 2023}}
{{Short description|Retired small-lift launch vehicle}}
{{Infobox rocket|name=Terran 1
|image=40px
|caption=
|manufacturer=Relativity Space
|country-origin=United States
|height={{cvt|35.2|m}}
|diameter={{cvt|2.3|m}}
|stages=2
|capacities=
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = LEO
|kilos = {{cvt|1479|kg|lb}}
|altitude = {{cvt|300|km|mi}}
|inclination = 28.5°
}}
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = SSO
|kilos = {{cvt|898|kg|lb}}
|altitude = {{cvt|500|km|mi}}
}}
|status=Retired|sites=CCSFS LC-16
VSFB Building 330
|stagedata={{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|length = {{cvt|24.3|m}}
|diameter = {{cvt|2.3|m}}
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
|engines = 9× Aeon 1
|thrust = {{cvt| 207000 | lbf | kN |abbr=on | order=flip}}
|SI =
|fuel = Liquid methane{{\}}LOX
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|length = {{cvt|8.1|m}}
|diameter = {{cvt|2.3|m}}
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
|engines = 1× AeonVac
|thrust = {{cvt| 28300 | lbf |kN |abbr=on | order=flip}}
|SI =
|fuel = Liquid methane{{\}}LOX
}}
|launches=1
|fail=1
|first=23 March 2023
}}
Terran 1 was an expendable two-stage small-lift launch vehicle developed by Relativity Space. Development began in 2017 and the rocket was retired in 2023. Most structures and components of the vehicle are manufactured with 3D printing processes.{{citation |last=Whang |first=Oliver |title=The First 3-D Printed Rocket Fails Shortly After Launch |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/science/relativity-space-launch-terran.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2023-03-23 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323154416/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/science/relativity-space-launch-terran.html |url-status=live }}
Terran 1's first and only launch took place March 23, 2023 from Cape Canaveral, but did not achieve orbit due to a failure of the second stage. Following the failed launch, Relativity retired the rocket in favor of developing the much larger, reusable Terran R vehicle.{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |title=Relativity goes 'all in' on larger reusable rocket, shifting 3D-printing approach after first launch |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/relativity-all-in-on-terran-r-rocket-shifting-3d-printing-approach.html |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=CNBC |date=12 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413034309/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/relativity-all-in-on-terran-r-rocket-shifting-3d-printing-approach.html |url-status=live }}
Design
Terran 1 consisted of two stages. The first stage is powered by nine Aeon 1 engines burning methane and oxygen propellants (methalox) in a gas-generator cycle, each producing {{Convert|23000|lbf|kN |abbr=on | order=flip}} of thrust. The second stage is powered by a single vacuum-optimized version of Aeon 1, known as AeonVac, producing {{Convert|28300|lbf|kN |abbr=on | order=flip}} of thrust in vacuum. Both stages are autogenously pressurized.
The vehicle's (notional) payload fairing measures {{cvt|6.8|m|ft}} long and {{cvt|3|m|ft}} in diameter. Payload capacity was specified to be {{Convert|1250|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to lower inclination low-Earth orbits and {{Convert|900|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).{{Cite book |author=Relativity Space |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59a8fb50d2b8575fad311abb/t/5f68d35cda98575604906432/1600705386517/Relativity+Terran+1+Payload+User%27s+Guide_Rev2.0.pdf |title=Terran 1 : Payload User's Guide Version 2.0 |date=August 2020 |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823155425/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59a8fb50d2b8575fad311abb/t/5f68d35cda98575604906432/1600705386517/Relativity+Terran+1+Payload+User%27s+Guide_Rev2.0.pdf |archive-date=2021-08-23 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Rockets|url=https://www.relativityspace.com/rockets|url-status=live|access-date=11 June 2021|website=Relativity Space|language=en-US|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611001745/https://www.relativityspace.com/rockets}} In any case, the vehicle never carried payloads, its sole launch featured an inert nosecone in place of a functional clamshell fairing.
The primary and secondary structures of Terran 1 were manufactured with Relativity's Stargate 3D printer, which welded structures together from aluminum alloy. 90% of Terran 1 by mass consisted of printed components; Relativity claimed that they could reduce the part count in the vehicle by 100 times compared to traditionally-manufactured rockets and manufacture an entire flight article from raw materials in 60 days.{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/03/relativity-space-has-big-dreams-is-the-company-for-real/ |title=Relativity Space has big dreams. Is the company for real? |work=Ars Technica |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823155442/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/03/relativity-space-has-big-dreams-is-the-company-for-real/ |url-status=live }} Relativity's in-development Terran R launch vehicle will utilize the same tooling used to manufacture Terran 1.{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |title=Relativity Space unveils a reusable, 3D-printed rocket to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/25/relativitys-reusable-terran-rocket-competitor-to-spacexs-falcon-9.html |work=CNBC |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=4 July 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225201826/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/25/relativitys-reusable-terran-rocket-competitor-to-spacexs-falcon-9.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Burghardt |first=Thomas |date=8 June 2021 |title=Relativity Space reveals fully reusable medium lift launch vehicle Terran R |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/relativity-reveals-terran-r/ |access-date=4 July 2021 |work=NASASpaceFlight.com |archive-date=24 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724171750/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/relativity-reveals-terran-r/ |url-status=live }}
Relativity advertised a price per launch for Terran 1 of US$10 million in 2019.{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/relativity-signs-contract-with-telesat-for-launching-leo-constellation/ |title=Relativity signs contract with Telesat for launching LEO constellation |work=SpaceNews |date=5 April 2019 |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823155429/https://spacenews.com/relativity-signs-contract-with-telesat-for-launching-leo-constellation/ |url-status=live }} The advertised price per launch had been increased to $12 million USD in 2021.
= Proposed upgrades =
In February 2022, Relativity CEO Tim Ellis stated in an interview with Ars Technica the nine Aeon 1 engines on the first stage could be replaced with a single Aeon R engine with substantially higher thrust. The Aeon R engine is planned to be used on Relativity's much larger Terran R rocket.{{cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/02/relativity-space-plans-upgrade-to-terran-1-rocket-soon-after-its-initial-launch/ |title=With eyes on reuse, Relativity plans rapid transition to Terran R engines |work=Ars Technica |date=22 February 2022 |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412091434/https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/02/relativity-space-plans-upgrade-to-terran-1-rocket-soon-after-its-initial-launch/ |url-status=live }} The upgrade was planned to debut on the fourth flight of Terran 1 before the program was cancelled.
Launch
Relativity received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch license to conduct the first launch of Terran 1, not-earlier-than (NET) 8 March 2023 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 16.
{{cite news
| last1 = Kelly
| first1 = Emre
| title = Relativity Space's first launch of 3D-printed Terran rocket scheduled for March
| url = https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2023/02/22/relativity-spaces-first-launch-of-3d-printed-terran-rocket-scheduled/69933658007/
| access-date = 22 February 2023
| work = Florida Today
| date = 22 February 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230223153908/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2023/02/22/relativity-spaces-first-launch-of-3d-printed-terran-rocket-scheduled/69933658007/
| archive-date = 23 February 2023
| url-status = live
}} Originally, another static fire was planned with the full rocket stack before first launch. Relativity believed it performed enough tests and instead attempted a launch.
{{cite news
| last1 = Clark
| first1 = Stephen
| title = Relativity sets launch date for first flight of Terran 1 rocket
| url = https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/02/22/relativity-sets-launch-date-for-first-flight-of-terran-1-rocket/
| access-date = 23 February 2023
| work = Spaceflight Now
| publisher = Pole Star Publications Ltd
| date = 22 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230223235413/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/02/22/relativity-sets-launch-date-for-first-flight-of-terran-1-rocket/
| archive-date = 23 February 2023
| url-status = live
}} Terran 1's initial flight scheduled for 8 March 2023 was scrubbed due to "exceeding launch commit criteria limits for propellant thermal conditions on stage two". A second launch attempt on 11 March was also scrubbed. Set for 18:00 UTC (14:00 EDT), high upper-level winds prevented liftoff for over an hour. A second attempt at 19:35 UTC (15:35 EDT) was cancelled at T-70 seconds from a boat in the launch safety range. A third attempt at 19:42 UTC (15:42 EDT) was cancelled half a second before liftoff. The engines briefly lit up before shutting down from a "launch commit criteria violation". A final attempt occurred at 21:00 UTC (17:00 EDT). An issue with the automatic stage separation promptly closed the launch window.{{cite web |last=Malik |first=Tariq |url=https://www.space.com/relativity-space-terran-1-rocket-aborts-2nd-launch-try |title=Relativity Space aborts launch of Terran 1, the world's first 3D-printed rocket, twice in 1 day |work=Space.com |date=11 March 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311225147/https://www.space.com/relativity-space-terran-1-rocket-aborts-2nd-launch-try |url-status=live }}
Another launch window for Terran 1's initial flight opened on March 23. After holding twice from a boat in the launch safety range, and high upper-level winds, the rocket lifted off at 03:25 UTC (23:25 EDT). Following a nominal liftoff and powered flight of the first stage, the second stage failed to ignite, leading to the loss of the mission. Preliminary investigations blamed the failure on a slower-than-expected valve opening as well as vapor ingestion into the liquid oxygen turbopump causing reduced performance. Although the launch did not orbit, Relativity acknowledged the successful performance of the vehicle's 3D printed structures under flight loads.{{Cite web |last=Knapp |first=Alex |title=Relativity Space Launches Its First 3D-Printed Rocket, But Fails To Reach Orbit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2023/03/22/relativity-space-3d-printed-rocket-launch/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323034842/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2023/03/22/relativity-space-3d-printed-rocket-launch/ |url-status=live }}
Following the loss of the first mission, the company abandoned further plans for Terran 1, instead choosing to focus efforts on developing the much larger reusable Terran R vehicle. Existing payloads on Terran 1 will likely have to be remanifested to Terran R or other flights.
Planned launches
References
{{US launch systems}}
{{Orbital launch systems}}