3D Printed Rocket Engine – An Innovation by NASA

Credits: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

There seems to be no end to the possibilities in scientific development, and the latest to join is 3D printing technology. One major development is that NASA has accomplished the manufacture of rocket engines implementing 3D printing technology, which was a first for NASA.

Project Manager Elizabeth Robertson, who is responsible for 3D printing the rocket engine, maintains that almost 75% of the entire rocket parts that formed the first successful manufacture of the rocket, have been tested successfully.

The testing of the engines as well as 3D printed parts was done using liquid oxygen and methane-key propellants. This was done as it is believed that the production of the two elements could be a possibility on Mars. The team also explored other parts like, injectors, valves and turbo pumps that helped to identify the probability of numerous other uses that 3D printed engines could be put to, ranging from landing equipment to in-space propulsion and more importantly, its power for a successful Mars landing.

The turbo pumps, working at 90,000 rotations per minut, produce a thrust exceeding 20,000 pounds. The fuel, liquid hydrogen, with a temperature less than 400 ° Fahrenheit, is delivered by the turbo pumps. Simulated tests for the same were conducted using cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

The printing took almost 3 years, during which two functions were tested. Firstly, testing was done by combining all the pieces and simulating real time function. Secondly, testing was carried out to evaluate the performance of the engine in actual environmental conditions that included extreme conditions of temperature (almost 6,000 deg Fahrenheit) and pressure.

Manufacturing the parts using 3D printing involves a simple process which includes:

• The computer is connected to a 3D printer
• The design of every part is entered into the computer.
• The part is built by the process of Selective Laser Melting in which the metal powder is combined with the help of a laser.

One of the major benefits of 3D printing is that the need for parts for the turbo pumps has been reduced by almost 45% compared to conventional manufacturing procedures.

The use of 3D printing is seen by scientists as a groundbreaking procedure as it provides opportunities for further innovative designing of space elements.

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