NASA fires 3-D printed rocket ‘engine’ on Alabama test stand

While there is still quite a lot of work to be done on this breadboard engine, which needs to be scaled down and made even more efficient before being ready for use, things are looking good. As evidenced by astronauts already using 3D printers on the International Space Station, the possibilities go into orbit, and beyond. Whereas 3D printed components are not only economical but also operationally feasible.

Elizabeth Robertson, the big chief in charge of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center from Huntsville has announced that NASA was successful in performing several tests on 3-D printed rockets components. “The turbopump got its “heartbeat” racing at more than 90,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and the end result is the flame you see coming out of the thrust chamber to produce over 20,000 pounds of thrust, and an engine like this could produce enough power for an upper stage of a rocket or a Mars lander”.

Therefore, it is now believed that such an engine could definitely be used for space missions throughout our solar system, 3D printing appearing as a viable technology for ensuring the propulsion of spacecraft. Future plans include firing the rocket using liquid oxygen and methane, gases that may be present on Mars, where the rocket is ultimately expected to travel. These are propellants that can be produced on Mars, according to NASA.

It has been reported that seven tests were performed with the longest tests lasting 10 seconds. It seemed odd that such a huge agency would need a 3D rocket printer despite the reality that they are equipped and capable of building rockets with the help of private companies. Temperatures in some parts of the 3D printed engine components reached 6,000-degrees Fahrenheit.

The benefits of 3D printing rocket engine components are fairly simple.

Scientists agree that using 3D printing is a revolutionary process which opens new opportunities for the design of space elements and which allows geometries that would have never been possible using traditional methods.

All test perfomed on printed components showed green.

NASA says it has tested rocket parts, using 3-D printed technology, including turbopumps, injectors and valves.

3-D printing isn’t just some living room hobby people do to make decorative trinkets. NASA has tested variety of pieces of the engine till date, starting from October 2015. The 3-D printed turbopump, one of the more complex parts of the engine, had 45 percent fewer parts than similar pumps made with traditional welding and assembly techniques. We’ve told you about 3-D printed cars, 3-D printers for kids and 3-D technology that might save your life. Subsequently, each component is created by layering metal powder and blending it with each other.

All data on materials characterization and performance for these parts will be available in NASA’s Materials and Processes Technical Information System, called MAPTIS, which is available to approved users.

The printer works by heating a relatively low-temperature plastic filament to build parts layer by later in designs supplied to the machine.

She said: ‘We manufactured and then tested about 75 per cent of the parts needed to build a 3D-printed rocket engine.