3D printing technology has come a long way since its inception. What was previously used to create small figurines and trinkets has now expanded into much larger applications. In an impressive demonstration of the technology’s capabilities, American aerospace company Relativity Space is preparing to launch the first 3D-printed rocket into space.

American aerospace company Relativity Space is preparing to launch the first 3D-printed rocket into space on March 8. The Terran 1 rocket will be the largest 3D-printed object to attempt orbital flight, 35 meters high and 85% made of 3D-printed material. Compared to the cost of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which can lift more than 22,000 kilograms into orbit and cost about $67 million per flight, Relativity Space charges $12 million per flight.

In its first test flight, the Terran 1 rocket will not carry any payload and the rocket is designed to lift up to 1,250 kilograms into Earth orbit. The company decided to skip the static firing, the planned final test of the missile, and start launching immediately. Although this decision increases the chances of abort on the first launch attempt, the company believes that if all systems are working properly, it would be better to launch the vehicle in the next operation rather than subject it to additional ground tests.

The ultimate goal of Relativity Space is to create an industrial society on Mars, and while Terran 1 is too small to travel, it is designed to launch small satellites into orbit. The rocket serves as a prototype for the company’s 66-metre Terran R rocket, which is expected to be fully reusable, mostly 3D-printed, and capable of launching up to 20,000 kilograms into orbit. In addition to sending larger satellites into Earth orbit, the Terran R rocket will offer customers a point-to-point spacecraft capable of missions between Earth, Moon and Mars.

According to a Relativity Space representative, Terran 1 is the platform they used to develop Terran R, which they believe is the tool their customers need to make significant advances in space travel. The successful launch of the Terran 1 rocket is a crucial step towards Relativity Space’s ambition to foster an industrial society on Mars and demonstrates the potential of 3D printing technology to revolutionize space travel and make it more affordable and accessible.