Hello and welcome back to Max Q!
In this issue:
- Relativity Space’s Terran 1 reaches Max Q
- NRO lines up hyperspectral imagery providers
- News from Virgin Orbit and more
Relativity Space’s first launch fails to reach orbit, but proves its 3D-printing rocket tech works
Relativity Space achieved a massively important milestone just before 11:30 PM ET on Wednesday, with the first-ever flight of its 3D-printed rocket technology. Its Terran 1 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, successfully clearing the pad and launch structure, and achieving “Max Q” — or the point during the launch sequence at which the vehicle is under the most pressure in terms of atmospheric resistance and stress — and also succeeded at cutting off its main engines and separating its first stage as intended. – Darrell Etherington
