Terran R
{{Short description|Partially-reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle}}
{{Infobox rocket|name=Terran R |cpl=$55 million{{cite web | url=https://www.mvp.vc/company-initations/initiation-report-relativity-space#:~:text=3D%20printing%20will%20also%20likely,standard%20price%20of%20%2462m | title=Manhattan Venture Partners | Tomorrow's IPOs Today™ }} | function = Reusable orbital launcher |image=File:TERRAN-R-DIAGRAM.png|caption=|manufacturer=Relativity Space
|country-origin=United States|height={{cvt|270|ft|m|order=flip}}|diameter={{cvt|18|ft|m|order=flip}}|stages=2|capacities={{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = LEO
|kilos = ~{{cvt|33500|kg|lb}}
}}|status=Planned|first={{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} 2026|sites=Cape Canaveral, LC-16|stagedata={{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|length =
|diameter =
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
|engines = 13 × Aeon R
|thrust = {{cvt|3350000|lbf|kN|order=flip}}
|SI =
|fuel = LOX / {{chem2|CH4|link=Liquid methane}}
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|length =
|diameter =
|empty =
|gross =
|propmass =
|engines = 1 × Aeon Vac
|thrust = {{cvt|279000|lbf|kN|order=flip}}
|SI =
|fuel = LOX / {{chem2|CH4|link=Liquid methane}}
}}}}
Terran R is a heavy-lift two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle under development by Relativity Space. The vehicle is partially constructed with 3D printing technologies, like its predecessor, the small-lift Terran 1.{{cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/relativity-space-is-moving-on-from-the-terran-1-rocket-to-something-much-bigger/ |title=Relativity Space is moving on from the Terran 1 rocket to something much bigger |work=Ars Technica |date=12 April 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.relativityspace.com/press-release/2023/4/12/terran-r |title=Relativity Space Shares Updated Go-to-Market Approach for Terran R, Taking Aim at Medium to Heavy Payload Category with Next-Generation Rocket |work=Relativity Space |date=12 April 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023}} The first flight is expected to be in 2026.{{Cite web |title=Terran R |url=https://www.relativityspace.com/terran-r |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Relativity Space |language=en-US}}
Versions
= Original Proposed Version 2021 =
The Terran R was first publicly announced on 8 June 2021 after the company raised US$650 million in funding.{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Relativity raises $650 million round, announces Terran R rocket |url=https://spacenews.com/relativity-raises-650-million-round-announces-terran-r-rocket/ |access-date=13 May 2023 |work=SpaceNews |date=8 June 2021 |location=Alexandria, Virginia | issn = 1046-6940}} Terran R was an evolution of the Terran 1, and at the time, it was to be 3D printed, fully reusable, including second stage and fairings. This planned version would be capable of putting {{cvt|20,000|kg}} into low-Earth orbit (LEO) in recoverable configuration.{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Relativity shelves Terran 1 after one launch, redesigns Terran R |url=https://spacenews.com/relativity-shelves-terran-1-after-one-launch-redesigns-terran-r/ |access-date=13 May 2023 |work=SpaceNews |date=12 April 2023 |location=Alexandria, Virginia | issn = 1046-6940}}
= 2023 Version =
On 12 April 2023, after the first flight of the Terran 1, Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis announced that the rocket was no longer going to be further developed and focus would move to Terran R. The new version of the rocket will have a maximum payload capacity of {{cvt|23,500|kg}} to low earth orbit (LEO) with a fully reusable first stage, and {{cvt|33,500|kg}} to LEO if fully expended.{{cite news |last1=Messier |first1=Doug |title=Relativity Space Dumps Terran 1 in Favor of Larger Terran R |url=https://parabolicarc.com/2023/04/28/relativity-space-dumps-terra-1-rocket-favor-larger-terran/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |work=Parabolic Arc |date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514004056/https://parabolicarc.com/2023/04/28/relativity-space-dumps-terra-1-rocket-favor-larger-terran/ |archive-date=14 May 2023 |location=Denver, Colorado | url-status = live}}
The first stage will use 13 Aeon R engines, producing an estimated thrust of 14.9 MN (3,350,000 lbs) in total. The second stage will use an upgraded Aeon R Vac engine and will be expended, along with the fairings.
Ellis has compared the design of Terran R to SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle.{{cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=February 25, 2021 |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |work=CNBC}} With this design, Relativity is aiming to significantly exceed the Falcon 9 payload to LEO.
In July 2022, Relativity announced a partnership with Impulse Space to send a payload to Mars on the first Terran R flight,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/19/science/mars-landing-relativity-space-spacex.html |title=Two Companies Aim to Beat SpaceX to Mars with 'Audacious' Landing |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 July 2022 |last1=Chang |first1=Kenneth}} which is expected to occur in 2026.
In September 2024, Eric Berger reported the planned diameter of Terran R had changed from {{cvt|216|in|m|order=flip}} to {{cvt|5.4|m|in}}, matching the diameter of the Ariane 6 rocket.{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/09/relativity-space-has-gone-from-printing-money-and-rockets-to-doing-what-exactly | title=Relativity Space has gone from printing money and rockets to doing what, exactly? | date=4 September 2024 }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{US launch systems}}
{{Orbital launch systems}}
{{Reusable launch systems}}