spacetoday.net: First Terran 1 launch fails to reach orbit

Posted: Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 11:25 AM ET (1525 GMT)
Terran 1 first launch (Relativity Space)

Relativity Space launched its first Terran 1 rocket Wednesday night, exceeding expectations even while falling short of orbit. The Terran 1 lifted off at 11:25 pm EDT (0325 GMT Thursday) from Cape Canaveral on a test flight called "Good Luck, Have Fun" by the company. The rocket's first stage performed as planned, passing through Max-Q, or the maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle. The rocket's upper stage separated nearly three minutes after liftoff but its engine appeared to malfunction and shut down seconds later, keeping the rocket from reaching orbit. Despite the failure to reach orbit, Relativity still celebrated the launch, arguing that it demonstrated the rocket's 3D-printed structures could handle the rigors of flight.