3D printed space rocket

Benson

Benson

Registered Senior Member
Very interesting that they can now print large space rockets, massively lowering the cost and build time.

 
Amazing levels of sophistication required, but once there, obviously huge advantages over traditional techniques. One downer though. At least one other startup is making rocket casings using carbon fiber composite:
https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/rocket-lab-all-composite-electron-launch-vehicle
There is no way 3D printed aluminum alloy can compete with that on a strength and stiffness to weight ratio basis. Not sure of the time to manufacture comparison but I would imagine composite wrapping/curing would be very competitive. What is clear is that the industry has become crowded with startups and only a few will survive longer term.

BTW this thread would have been more appropriate in GS&T or Architecture & Engineering sub-forum.
 
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Jeeves said:
Who is going to launch all those mass-produced rockets?
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Take any space agency around the world, they just need to buy in a 3D printed rocket to save a fortune. It means they can do more missions for the same buck.
 
Benson said:
Take any space agency around the world, they just need to buy in a 3D printed rocket to save a fortune. It means they can do more missions for the same buck.
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I got that part. But how many can of them actually launch? And to where?
 
One downside of 3-d printed rockets is that 3-d printing doesn't scale very well from prototypes to quantity production.

That's why Astra decided not to go with 3-d printing. They want to manufacture lots of rockets
 
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