Tag: 3D Printing
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German Startup 3D Prints Rigid Beam on Free-Flying Satellite in Orbital First
The technology addresses a growing challenge for future spacecraft, which will need to generate far more electrical power and radiate far more heat into the vacuum, particularly if they serve as orbital data centers. Those spacecraft must still fit within the tight confines of a rocket fairing, so building equipment in orbit could ease both…
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Deep Blue Aerospace Completes First 100-Second Long-Duration Test of 130-Tonne-Class THUNDER-RS Engine
August 21 — Deep Blue Aerospace has successfully completed a 100-second, long-duration steady-state hot-fire test of its 130-tonne-class THUNDER-RS liquid oxygen/kerosene engine at the company’s liquid rocket engine and propulsion-system test facility. The engine operated steadily and without faults throughout the test, achieving all test objectives. The milestone marks a key engineering breakthrough for high-thrust…
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New Frontier Aerospace tests 3D-printed rocket engine for future flight applications
Flames stream from New Frontier Aerospace’s Mjölnir rocket engine during a hot-fire test. (NFA Photo) Kent, Wash.-based New Frontier Aerospace says it has put its 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine through a series of successful hot-fire tests, in preparation for an initial flight test of a hypersonic drone that could take place as early as next year.…
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Relativity’s 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket reaches space, but falls short of orbit
Watch a replay of our live coverage of the countdown and launch of Relativity Space’s first 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket. The Terran 1 lifted off from Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on its inaugural test flight at 11:25 p.m. EDT Wednesday, March 22 (0325 UTC Thursday, March 23). Follow us…
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Relativity Space launches 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket but falls short of orbit
Methane-tinged blue flames blaze from the engines on Relativity Space’s Terran 1 rocket during liftoff from its Florida launch pad. (Relativity Space / Michael Baylor) More than seven years after it was founded in a Seattle co-working space, Relativity Space launched its first 3D-printed rocket on a test mission that began with a triumphant glow…
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Good weather expected for Relativity Space’s late-night launch attempt
Relativity Space’s Terran 1 rocket on Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Credit: Relativity Space Relativity Space will try a third time to launch a 3D-printed rocket from Cape Canaveral Wednesday night, and weather forecasters predict a 95% chance of favorable conditions for the late-night test flight. The three-hour launch window at…
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Relativity Space raises $500M to speed up plan to build and launch 3D-printed rockets
Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis stands alongside a 3D-printed rocket component. (Relativity Space Photo) Relativity Space says it’s brought in another $500 million in investment to speed up its effort to build entire orbital-class rockets using 3D printing. The startup — which was founded in Seattle less than five years ago and is now headquartered…
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Relativity scores $140 million funding round for smallsat launcher
Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone, co-founders of Relativity Space. Credit: Relativity Space Relativity Space says it has secured $140 million in new funding from venture capital firms and private investors, enough to carry the company’s 3D-printed small satellite launcher through its first orbital flight from Cape Canaveral in early 2021. The Series C fundraising round,…
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Made in Space wins NASA contract to 3D-print satellite structures in orbit
NASA awarded a $73.7 million contract Friday to the California-based startup Made in Space for a 3D-printing demonstration using a free-flying small satellite to additively manufacture solar array beams in space. Made in Space’s satellite mission, named Archinaut One, will have the ability to 3D-print its own structures in orbit. The small satellite is…
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Relativity Space obtains Air Force approval for Cape Canaveral launch pad
Launch startup Relativity Space has won approval from the U.S. Air Force to take over a disused launch pad at Cape Canaveral for the company’s methane-fueled Terran 1 rocket, a 3D-printed launcher that could carry small satellites into orbit by the end of 2020. Relativity announced Jan. 17 the Air Force approved the company’s plan…