--- title: "U.S. Air Force Approves Launch Site for 3D Printed Rocket" description: "Relativity Space — a 3D-rocket-printing company founded by SpaceX, and Blue Origin alumni — got permission from the Air Force to launch from Cape Canaveral." date: "2019-01-17" modified: "2019-01-17" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/air-force-grants-launch-site-3d-printed-rocket-relativity-space" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "3d printing" - "relativity space" - "rockets" - "space" --- # U.S. Air Force Approves Launch Site for 3D Printed Rocket ![Relativity Space — a 3D-rocket-printing company founded by SpaceX, and Blue Origin alumni — got permission from the Air Force to launch from Cape Canaveral.]() *\Image: Relativity Space\* ## 3D Printed Rocket A three-year-old startup is trying to launch rockets into space that are almost entirely 3D printed. And it just got permission from the U.S. Air Force to launch from the [historic Launch Complex 16]() at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Relativity Space — a rocket-building company founded by SpaceX and Blue Origin alumni — revealed a new contract with the U.S. Air Force this week that would allow it to launch from a site that has been unused since 1988, [according to *Quartz*](). If the company manages to regularly launch rockets from the site, it could be able to extend the contract into a 20-year exclusive agreement with the Air Force. ## Giant Rocket Printers Relativity Space has ambitious plans: it wants to 3D print an entire rocket with its groundbreaking, building-sized [Stargate]() metal 3D printer, then launch it into orbit. Its long term plans are also enormous — the company wants to eventually 3D print rockets on Mars, according to its [official website](). 3D printing a rocket would be simpler and allow for more efficient designs, fewer moving parts, and faster construction. The company's first planned launch vehicle called Terran 1 would only take 60 days to print, and would have a max payload of 1,250 kg (2756 lbs) to low-Earth orbit — at least if everything works out as planned. https://vimeo.com/260505466 ## Growth Spurt Relativity Space is going through a growth spurt right now. Its number of employees rose from 14 to 60, co-founder Tim Ellis [told]() *Ars Technica*. It's also planning a test launch of the Terran 1 rocket in 2020, with commercial missions starting in 2021. Using 3D printing technology to blast off into space is an exciting idea, and could make building rockets faster and cheaper. But the proof is in the pudding — or rocket fuel. **READ MORE:** [Relativity Space to launch from historic Florida site]() \[*Ars Technica*\] **More on Relativity Space: [A Fully 3D Printed Rocket Is Not as Crazy as it Seems]()** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()