Dec 11, 2017 | By Tess

Relativity Space, a Los Angeles orbital launch startup, has just released a short video showing its innovative Aeon 1 3D printed rocket engine in action. The impressive piece of equipment consists of just three 3D printed parts and is capable of reaching full thrust force in milliseconds.

We’ve known for awhile that Relativity Space was working on some pretty cool stuff. This past October, for instance, the company announced the development of the Stargate 3D printer, which it says it the largest metal 3D printing system in the world.

The machine, which consists of multiple laser-equipped Kuka robotic arms and metal wire feedstock, was designed specifically for additively manufacturing large-scale rocket structures for Relativity Space.

Still, it is something else entirely to actually see a video of a 3D printed rocket engine being fired. We’re sure that the company’s many high profile investors (including venture capital firm Social Capital) agree.

The 3D printed Aeon 1 rocket engine  is impressive for a number of reasons. First, its innovative 3D printed structure has allowed Relativity Space to manufacture the engine out of only three parts (traditionally manufactured rocket engines typically consist of over one thousand parts). This, in turn, has reduced the engine’s production time significantly, down to around one month instead of six.

As the company writes on its website, “Our process reduces the number of component interfaces, making full robotic automation of engine production possible.”

Moreover, Relativity Space says its 3D printed rocket engine will be an important part of reducing the overall costs of rocket launches. In fact, the company is aiming to bring the cost of rocket launches from around $100 million down to only $10 million within the next four years.

As the test fire video demonstrates, the LA startup seems to be well on its way to achieving this.

The video itself was recorded at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where Relativity Space has been testing its 3D printed Aeon 1 rocket engine. On the company’s website, it says it has already test fired the engine over 70 times.

Looking to the future, Relativity Space even has goals of 3D printing rockets and engines on Mars with the help of its massive Stargate 3D printing system. Even the Aeon 1 was designed with the ultimate goal of being manufactured on the red planet: “[the engine’s] propellants are the easiest to eventually make on Mars,” says the startup.

All in all, Relativity Space is attempting to revamp the space launch industry and so far it seems like they’re right on track.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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