The Reason Relativity Scrubbed Multiple Terran 1 Launch Attempts
Relativity Space is trying to make the first 3D printed rocket Terran 1, and eventually, the first fully reusable 3D printed rocket Terran R. For years now they have been developing, manufacturing, and testing these systems with the goal of one day reaching orbit. Just days ago they were the closest they have ever been.
On both March 8th and March 11th Relativity attempted to launch a Terran 1 test article for the first time. Unfortunately, a host of different complications occurred that were either out of the control of the company such as weather or technical issues that needed to be resolved that scrubbed both launches. Thankfully, Relativity provided a lot more insight into exactly what went wrong and how they go about fixing it.
This is important as a third launch attempt will be scheduled very soon likely only days away. All of this comes in addition to new milestones with Terran R’s Aeon R engine development and testing. Here I will go more in-depth into what caused the multiple scrubbed launches, new engine progress, when we can expect the next launch attempt, and more.
Terran 1 Scrubs
March 8th was the first attempt for Relativity and early in the day they tweeted saying, “Range green, vehicle is healthy, and we are progressing well towards launch. Not long after they got a new T-0 time to allow them to work through thermal conditioning of their propellant. The scrub came after an abort at T-70 seconds, due to oxygen temperatures in the rocket’s second stage being outside of normal limits, but they were able to resolve the issue and continue countdown until the call to scrub.
In regard to this first scrub, Relativity said in a quote that, “Today’s launch attempt for #GLHF Terran 1 was scrubbed due to exceeding launch commit criteria limits for propellant thermal conditions on stage 2. The team is working diligently toward our next launch window in the coming days.” They also pointed out, “When using liquid natural gas, the methane needs time to get to the right concentration. This is why our next attempt will be a few days from now.”
Thankfully, soon after the first scrub, they announced that the next attempt would be just days later on the 11th. Early in the morning on the 11th they tweeted mentioning, “We are GO for prop load, which is getting underway. But, upper-level winds are a potential concern today and we are continuing to monitor.” Within the next few hours after this tweet, there were multiple holds and countdown attempts with a few issues arising before this second attempt was officially scrubbed. Relativity commented that “During abort #1: It was a corner case in the stage separation automation a few seconds before T-0 that properly aborted at T .5 seconds. Then, the team pushed an update to the vehicle automation, successfully recycled the vehicle, and secured a new T-0 time, which was an instantaneous window, given it was during the last minute of our launch window today at 16:00 ET. During abort #2: At T-45 seconds, we had an automated abort on stage 2 fuel pressure, which was only one PSI low.”
While not ideal, it’s important that Relativity doesn’t rush the launch and makes sure everything is perfect for the best chances of success. It also looks like the company was able to determine exactly what went wrong and are trying to make sure that they fix at least everything within their control for the next attempt. The Terran launch vehicle and pad systems are designed to accommodate a one-hour countdown; however longer countdowns may be coordinated as a nonstandard service. Critical functions for both ground systems and flight vehicle are controlled by automated software during the countdown. Propellant and pressurant loading sequences begin early in the countdown, along with a series of vehicle, telemetry, and range checkouts, with verification of AFSS, transmitter activation, and transitions from ground to internal power taking place during the final minutes of terminal count.
As far as when the next launch attempt will be, Relativity has not officially released a date yet. This being said, the company has airspace restrictions for the launch daily through March 17th. It’s possible that within the next few days, we get an official date for the next attempt.
Aeon R Update
Around that same time that Relativity is attempting the most important test in the company’s history, they are continuing to make progress on Terran R. Terran R is fully reusable including its engines, first stage, second stage, and payload fairing, and will be capable of launching over 20,000kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) in reusable configuration. At the core of this rockets payload capacity and reuse options are its main first stage engines Aeon R. Since the beginning of this month alone we have received a bunch of new updates from Relativity and Tim Ellis on this engine. Starting on the 2nd he tweeted saying, “Achieved 100% power on Aeon R thrust chamber assembly testing today, 258,000 pounds of thrust.”
Only one week later he posted again highlighting, “Meanwhile, ran 2x back to back Aeon R TCA tests today at 100% power – both 25 sec long. At article iteration 007 so far. This engine is gonna be killer I think for our reusable vehicle Terran R. Truly among the most fast paced propulsion development programs ever in the US.” They included a video of the engine startup and fire for the entire 25 second time. The company’s engines, Aeon 1, Aeon R and Aeon Vac, are all 3D-printed. This is supposed to enhance mission reliability by reducing part count in engine combustion chambers, igniters, turbopumps, reaction control thrusters, and vehicle pressurization systems. All Aeon engines including Aeon R use liquid oxygen + liquid natural gas, which are not only one of the best for rocket propulsion, but also the easiest to eventually make on Mars. To date, Aeon series of engines have completed thousands of test fires.
Finally, just 3 days ago on the 10th, we got to see a complete Aeon R engine when Relativity tweeted, “First Aeon R engine build complete. 258,000 pounds of thrust. Human for scale.” Here you could see the massive complete engine which will join 6 others to power Terran R. Tim Ellis clarified when asked whether or not that was the actual engine nozzle that “No, real is regen cooled also it’s larger and 3D printed. We have one built though.”
Currently, Relativity is still scheduled for the first launch of Terra R in 2024. While extremely ambitious, this fast progress could make the goal a reality if they continue at this pace. The results of Terran 1’s first launch will also have an impact as well. In the middle of last year, Relativity signed a multi-year, multi-launch Launch Services Agreement (LSA) with OneWeb, the global space-based communications company. Under the agreement, Relativity will launch OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites on Terran R, starting in 2025. These launches will support OneWeb’s deployment of its Gen 2 satellite network, which will build upon the initial constellation of 648 satellites the company is currently building out.
Terran R will launch OneWeb missions from Launch Complex 16, Relativity’s site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where Terran 1 has been trying to launch from for the last couple of days. As a medium-heavy lift, fully reusable launch vehicle made for growing satellite constellation launch demand and eventually multiplanetary transport, Terran R wants to provide both government and commercial customers affordable access to space, in LEO and beyond. With the addition of its multi-launch agreement with OneWeb, Relativity has a total of five signed customers for Terran R, including multiple launches and totaling more than $1.2B in backlog.
In other big news regarding this rocket’s development, not long ago Relativity unveiled the latest iteration of its first-of-its-kind proprietary manufacturing platform, Stargate 4th Generation metal 3D printers. These printers will underpin both the development and rate production of Terran R. The newest Stargate printer technology defies traditional printing constraints by moving horizontally as it feeds multiple wires into a single print head to print orbital rockets. Relativity points out that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation Stargate printers already operate at print speeds well beyond industry standards. The newest Generation Stargate printers however improve on their predecessors and offer 7x faster than earlier generation Stargate printers and even achieve up to 12x faster printing over Relativity’s already industry-leading performance.
The majority of Terran R components will be printed inside Relativity’s new 1MM+ square foot headquarters in Long Beach, named The Wormhole. Aeon R engines, for Terran R, will continue to be produced at the company’s other Long Beach factory, The Portal. The Wormhole, a former Boeing C-17 manufacturing plant, was secured by Relativity to be its new headquarters in 2021. Currently 33% operational, the factory has several new Stargate printers online with more than a dozen printers planned to be producing Terran R components in the coming months. At full capacity forecasted run rate, each Stargate 4th Generation printer is capable of producing 4 Terran R rockets per year. The remainder of The Wormhole will continue to be built out in phases, bringing more printers online and moving more teams into the company’s headquarters as production for Terran R scales.
Conclusion
Relativity recently attempted to launch Terran 1 on the 8th and 11th. While not successful, the rocket is still in good condition and they learned some valuable information that they will apply to the next attempt. This comes in addition to continued work and progress on Terran R’s Aeon R engine. We will have to wait and see how it progresses and the impact it has on the space industry.