Relativity’s 3D-printed engine has completed a mission duty cycle test-firing

Full-duration test of Aeon 1 rocket engine.

Relativity Space said Monday that the company has successfully completed a full-duration test-firing of its Aeon 1 rocket engine, running it at full power for 187 seconds.

The test at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi took place with all of the engine's key components-including turbopumps, injector, and combustion chamber-operating in a flight-like configuration. Surprisingly, the company met this milestone ahead of schedule-Relativity had been targeting completion of this mission duty cycle test before the end of 2020.

"Despite the coronavirus, we're on track," said Relativity's chief executive, Tim Ellis, in an interview. "The mission-duty-cycle engine test is actually two months ahead of schedule. So I think it really demonstrates how the 3D-printing approach to building a rocket is lightning fast."

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