Chicago-headquartered aerospace manufacturers Boeing (LOD:BOE) has revealed they will utilize 3D printing to manufacture future satellites. In an effort to increase turnaround time and lower costs of production, Boeing will use additive manufacturing to create modular components. At the beginning of January 2017 the company alsoenlisted Oxford Performance Materials to 3D print parts for their CST-100 Starliner spacecraft.
To produce more than 10 satellites per year
Speaking to theWall Street Journal, Boeing Satellite Business Chief Paul Rusnock explained how the approach will maintain Boeing’s competitiveness in this market. Boeing’s current satellite manufacturing technique requires many workers and means the company is producing less than 10 satellites a year. Adopting additive manufacturing, the company will be able to increase productivity at a more competitive price.
3D printing also has many advantages in the production of satellites, as Polish company SatRevolution recently announced plans to manufacture the devices in this way. SatRevolution intend to create a satellite production facility in their home country to producePoland’s first ever satellite using 3D printing.
More competitive market
The global satellite market is becoming more saturated with a new-found accessibility. Standardization of satellite size has strengthened accessibility to space, leading to more companies producing the devices. This is something Sir Martin Sweeting, of Surrey Satellites Technology, touched upon last year whenspeaking at the International Aeronautical Congress in Guadalajara.
The increase in companies approaching the satellite market has encouraged Boeing to adapt their manufacturing process. With 3D printing, the company will be able to automate part of the manufacturing process and accelerate the creation of custom parts.
Furthermore, the production of modular satellites reflects the dynamic aspect of the market. Boeing’s customers have reportedly expressed a frequent desire to launch upgraded satellites with the latest technology. This means that the modular satellite’s shorter life-spans will not pose an issue. Paul Rusnock also explained that 3D printed modular parts will reduce production errors, as they are“easier to put together”.
Boundless space for 3D printing
3D打印为我们看到了意大利公司D-Orbit的卫星技术开辟了新的可能性。卫星系统制造商计划推出一个low-earth orbit satellite that can fly back to earth当不再需要时。这解决了太空垃圾的不断增长的问题，这是退役的卫星在空间中浮动的结果。
It is possible that such satellites may even be launched from the UK within the next few years with theintroduction of a spaceport by the year 2020.
3D Printing Industry will be present at theAdditive Manufacturing for Aerospace, Defence and Space conferencethis week in London. The event will have representatives from companies like Boeing, NASA and Airbus, so stay tuned toour social mediaandsign up to the newsletterfor updates.
Featured image shows Boeing’s satellite family. Image via Boeing.
