Sponsored By

SpaceX Reveals 3D-Printed Rocket Engine PartsSpaceX Reveals 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Parts

Ann R. Thryft

August 19, 2014

4 Min Read
SpaceX Reveals 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Parts

3D printing for rocket engines is making a lot of headlines lately. In the last few weeks, we've told you about Aerojet Rocketdyne building and hot-firing a 3D-printed rocket engine and NASA's 3D-printed rocket engine injectors that perform better than welded ones. Now SpaceX has revealed details about its use of 3D printing in the SuperDraco thruster engine for the Dragon Spacecraft, as well as in one of the Falcon 9 rocket's engines.

The SuperDraco thruster engine is an advanced version of the current Draco engine that's used in SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to maneuver in orbit and during re-entry. SuperDracos will be used on the crewed version of the next-generation Dragon Version 2 spacecraft. There, they will power the vehicle's launch escape system, which is completely integrated into the spacecraft.

SpaceX-3DP-SuperDraco-chamber.jpg

About the Author(s)

Ann R. Thryft

Ann R. Thryft has written about manufacturing- and electronics-related technologies for Design News, EE Times, Test & Measurement World, EDN, RTC Magazine, COTS Journal, Nikkei Electronics Asia, Computer Design, and Electronic Buyers' News (EBN). She's introduced readers to several emerging trends: industrial cybersecurity for operational technology, industrial-strength metals 3D printing, RFID, software-defined radio, early mobile phone architectures, open network server and switch/router architectures, and set-top box system design. At EBN Ann won two independently judged Editorial Excellence awards for Best Technology Feature. She holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Stanford University and a Certified Business Communicator certificate from the Business Marketing Association (formerly B/PAA).

Sign up for the Design News Daily newsletter.

You May Also Like