Thales Alenia Space Plans to 3D Print Larger Parts for Launch

In April 2015, the Turkmen Alem MonacoSat was launched into orbit with a 3D printed antenna support manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, making history as the first satellite ever to go into space with a 3D printed component. It certainly wasn't the last, though, and it wasn't the last for Thales, either - far from it. At this time, Thales Alenia Space has sent into orbit at least 79 metal 3D printed parts and 350 3D printed polymer tube supports created for chemical propulsion systems. The company has announced that they will now be focusing on developing much larger 3D printed parts to be launched into space. Read more at 3DPrint.com: http://3dprint.com/174877/thales-3d-printed-satellites/

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