NASA Hot-Fire Tests 2 3D Printed Rockey Engine Injectors

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Yesterday NASA released images and a video of a major hot-fire testing of 2 rocket engine injectors which are completely 3D printed. The injectors, which are responsible for mixing hydrogen and liquid oxygen to produce an incredible 20,000 pounds of thrust, performed perfectly. By 3D printing the injector, they were able to build the part in just 2 pieces, as opposed to 162 they would have needed if they were using traditional manufacturing methods. More details on this story can be found here: http://3dprint.com/13392/nasa-rocket-3d-print/

Below is a picture of NASA's hot-fire test of one of the 3D printed injectors:

[Roxy]

Maybe in 5 or 8 years we can tell the Russians we don't need their stinking rocket engines??? We'll just print them!

[Feign]

That's exactly the idea, Roxy. Of course, even if we're making entire launch vehicles from the smallest fuse to the rocket engine in the US, it's still in the hands of DC's procurement people what does and doesn't get bought. They might keep buying Russian engines even if we stop using them.

[Cannon Gray]

Made In Space has developed and successfully tested a 3D printer capable of printing in a vacuum under low gravity conditions. According to company representatives, now 3D printing will be possible not only on board the International Space Station, but also in outer space.