Debut launch of 3D-printed rocket was aborted at the last minute

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — A rocket made up almost entirely of 3D printed parts remained on site Wednesday after its debut launch was aborted at the last minute.

California-based Relativity Space attempted to launch a rocket into orbit from a former rocket range at the Space Force Station at Cape Canaveral. No word yet on when the company may try again.

The on-board flight computers stopped the countdown with just over a minute left due to problems with the temperature of the rocket’s upper stage. Mission Control decided to correct the problem and try again before the launch window closed, but eventually announced that it was closing for the day.

It is a relatively small rocket, only 110 feet (33 meters), and on this test flight it will carry nothing but a souvenir: the company’s first metal 3D printer.

About 85% of the rocket, dubbed Terran, is made up of 3D printed parts at the company’s Long Beach, California plant, including its engines. Relativity Space aims to increase this percentage in its future releases.

SpaceX Falcon rockets have been flying with 3D printed parts for years, but not nearly as well as the new Relativity Space rocket.

Relativity Space said its rocket is the largest 3D-printed object ever attempting to launch.

Businessman Mark Cuban of the television program Shark Tank was one of the company’s early investors.

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