Terran R
Terran R is a medium-lift two-stage, fully reusable launch vehicle under development by Relativity Space. The vehicle is primarily constructed with 3D printing technologies, much like its predecessor, the small-lift Terran 1.[1]
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Manufacturer | Relativity Space |
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Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 66 m (216 ft) |
Diameter | 5.5 m (18 ft) |
Stages | 2 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | |
Mass | ~20,000 kg (44,000 lb) |
Launch history | |
Status | Planned |
Launch sites | CCSFS LC-16 |
First flight | NET 2024 |
First stage | |
Powered by | >7 Aeon R |
Maximum thrust | 2,114,000 lbf (9,400 kN) |
Propellant | LCH4 / LOX |
Second stage | |
Powered by | 1 AeonVac |
Maximum thrust | 28,300 lbf (126 kN) |
Propellant | LCH4 / LOX |
Description
Terran R is an evolution of the Terran 1, with a maximum payload capacity of 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) to low Earth orbit. The first stage will use seven Aeon R engines, producing an estimated thrust of 1.33 MN (300,000 lbs) each.[2] The second stage will use an upgraded Aeon 1 engine with a copper chamber. With this design, Relativity is aiming to exceed the Falcon 9 payload to low-Earth orbit by approximately 20 percent, with a target payload mass as of June 2021 of approximately 20 tonnes (44,000 lb). Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis has compared the design of Terran R to SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicle.[3] In July 2022, Relativity announced it partnered with Impulse Space to send a payload to Mars in 2025.[4]
References
- Burghardt, Thomas (June 8, 2021). "Relativity Space reveals fully reusable medium lift launch vehicle Terran R". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- Berger, Eric (22 February 2022). "With eyes on reuse, Relativity plans rapid transition to Terran R engines". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- Sheetz, Michael (February 25, 2021). "Relativity Space unveils a reusable, 3D-printed rocket to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9". CNBC. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- Chang, Kenneth (19 July 2022). "Two Companies Aim to Beat SpaceX to Mars with 'Audacious' Landing". The New York Times.