[John Smith_inFL]

If there are "aeronatuical" enthusiasts here, you may be interested in following the latest Space Race program.
A 3D Printed Rocket is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral some time this week. Minor problems and weather keep pushing the schedule back. But, when it does go, I can watch it from my livingroom recliner.

 

[difalkner]

BIG 3D printer!! That's going to be so cool, John. Sure hope everything goes well.

 

[Oscar56]

I have been following this. In my past life, I did this kind of stuff (stationed at Cape Canaveral 2004-2007).

This is only one of many technologies that are being used to create the next generation of space lift. There are some really cool stuff going on.

 

[Rincewind]

Won't the PLA melt ?

On a serious note i wasn't aware of this, and here is me the Treasurer of our local Astronomy Society 😊

Many thanks for the heads up John, i shall go a visiting Nasa...p.s. i'm extremely jealous of your location and recliner/view.

 

[Oscar56]

Well, if you want plastic rockets. lol

Alternate technologies being looked at. Some of this technology has already been to space in other programs.

Rocket tanks of carbon-fiber–reinforced plastic are proven possible

Future rockets could fly with tanks made of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic thanks to ground-breaking research carried out within ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Program.

phys.org

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Tomorrow looks like a "go" @1:00pm local time. If it does go, I'm sure it will be on the evening National News.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Viewing from my area might be a little sketchy due to the clouds. But, this is a launch view from my front porch a few weeks ago. (The Cape launches something about once a week - mostly Starlink Satellites). My Big Canon camera was broken at the time and I took this quick shot with a cheap "Point-n-Shoot" camera. Lots of hype on our local news about the 3D Printed rocket - - - - Stay Tuned.

 

[Oscar56]

That is so cool. Miss watching some of those launches from the beach. I lived on Patrick AFB housing and my house backed highway 1. Thank you for sharing. Florida is a pretty awesome place to be.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

If you are here around 1:40ish pm today, it is a "go" for 1:45pm

First 3D-printed rocket Terran 1 prepares for launch

The first-ever 3D-printed rocket is set to lift off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Center this weekend.

www.wesh.com

 

[Rincewind]

Link was zone-locked...gutted

 

[Oscar56]

Dang it. I just saw the launch was scrubbed. Scrubbed twice today for range safety and a technical fault. I'll have to keep an eye out to see when it is rescheduled.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

That's the Space Race, Oscar - but, safety is paramount. Hopefully, we can have good weather for the next attempt (whenever that is).

 

[difalkner]

whenever that is

I haven't kept up with it; have they mentioned a timeframe?

 

[Oscar56]

I normally use Spaceflight Now website for info. No updates on the launch.

Usually if they were hoping for a specific orbit, that will impact the launch date (probably not since this is a test launch but don't know). Space weather and orbital debry will also impact launch windows. Finally, just the schedule of different launches will dictate available windows.

 

[Oscar56]

Woot! Terran 1 launched yesterday successfully though the second stage failed and rocket failed to make orbit.

But...still a successful proof of concept for 3d printed rockets.

Relativity’s 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket reaches space, but falls short of orbit – Spaceflight Now

 

[difalkner]

John - did you see it, hear it?

 

[MadMark]

I watched the Challenger launch live from Longwood [434 & I4].