Additive manufacturing enabled rocket maker相对性空间has landed its first orbital launch contract from the美国国防部(DoD) to launch a payload into low-Earth orbit (LEO) using its fully 3D printed Terran 1 launch vehicle.
The contract forms part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) efforts to identify suitable commercial solutions for launch systems capable of carrying between 450-1,200kg to LEO, in order to open up low-cost, responsive access to space “as a service”.
该协议认为，国防部成为第九个相对性领域的推出客户，第三次宣布了美国政府的合同。
“It is an honor to continue to serve the US Government and build upon our nation’s leading abilities in space with Relativity’s first DoD satellite launch contract award,” said Tim Ellis, CEO and Co-founder of Relativity Space. “The Defense Innovation Unit is a group whose innovative approach aligns with the work we are doing at relativity to revolutionize the future of aerospace.
“I’m excited for what our teams will accomplish together as we look forward to launching our first DoD payload set.”
Commercial solutions for space “as a service”
The contract between Relativity Space and the DoD was awarded as a Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Launch Enterprise follow-up to the DoD’s Space Test Program (STP) Rapid Agile Launch Initiative (RALI). The initiative seeks to recognize innovative commercial technologies from American companies that are capable of granting low-cost and responsive launch solutions for payloads to orbit.
To this end, the DIU is working to identify launch partners with systems that are equipped with a payload capacity between 450-1,200kg in order to open up both low-cost and responsive access to space “as a service”. According to the DIU, Relativity Space’s Terran 1 3D printed launch vehicle meets this criteria, although a date for the launch has not yet been announced.
Earlier this year, the DoD released its有史以来首先加法制造策略为了表现出在国家国防计划中使用3D打印的共同愿景。该战略概述了五个战略目标，以扩大在整个国防部门的3D印刷，并利用该技术的潜在利益。
The strategy will see the DoD continue to work with related agencies such asNASA, theDepartment of Energy(DoE), and the美国联邦航空管理局(FAA) to both leverage their work and identify joint projects related to 3D printing.
3D打印的Terran 1
Having entered the private space exploration market in 2015, Relativity Space has since been developing its Terran 1 rocket in-house using itsStargate 3D printer, with the inaugural launch of the rocket scheduled for later this year. The companyraised $500 million worth of investmentlast year, demonstrating high investor confidence in Relativity’s progress ahead of the launch.
Relativity’s Stargate printer is operated by the interaction of several robotic arms and can produce a whole Terran rocket in just 60 days. In June 2019, Relativity was given permission to build a 220,000 square footrocket building factoryat NASA’sStennis航天中心，为其提供新的测试和组装空间。去年，该公司也搬到了新的加利福尼亚总部提高其生产。
The company has recently earned several high-profile contracts, with its Terran 1 chosen by satellite producersIridium CommunicationsandTelesattofire their small satellites into LEO。同样，国防承包商Lockheed Martin已经选择了Terran 1作为即将到来的NASA低温测试任务，将于2023年举行。
Most recently, Relativity secured a$3 million NASA contractto launch multiple small satellites into LEO, awarded as part of NASA’s启动服务计划(LSP). By 30 June 2022, Relativity will deploy its Terran 1 rockets to fire various cubesats, microsats, and nanosatellites into orbit for exploration, education, and investigation purposes.
订阅3D打印行业newsletter有关增材制造中的最新消息。您也可以通过关注我们来保持联系Twitterand liking us onFacebook.
寻找添加剂制造业的职业？访问3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
特色图片显示相对性太空的星际之门3D打印技术。通过相对性空间照片。
