Startup Orbex from the UK introduced the giant second stage rocket Prime Rocket. This is the largest rocket engine in the world, printed on a 3D-printer. The length of the entire rocket, including the engine, will be 17 meters. For comparison: this is approximately one fourth the height of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. In other words, for spacecraft printed on 3D printers, conditions are getting better and better.

So, a few weeks ago, an American startup Relativity Space signed a contract with the US Air Force about launching its rocket printed on a 3D printer from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Orbex collaborated with aerospace engineering veterans from organizations such as NASA and ESA to build the Stage 2 rocket, which is part of a multi-stage rocket launching a spacecraft into orbit after launch from Earth.

The startup claims that this is the first time that a rocket engine, printed on a 3D printer, was created entirely, without any slots or joints. This means that the rocket will be 30 percent lighter and 20 percent more productive than other small accelerators. The absence of welding and joints means that the machine can better withstand extreme temperatures and pressure fluctuations.

In addition, the rocket is designed to use biopropane- a renewable clean-burning fuel that reduces carbon emissions by 90 percent.

naked-science.ru