3D printing rockets: domestic startup Taihan Aerospace can reduce costs by 80%

On February 27, 2022, the domestic start-up company Taihan
aerospace
(SpaceTai) is taking advantage of3D printingTechnology develops engines and rockets for the commercial aerospace industry with the aim of reducing costs to less than a fifth of the current average.



Although it only launched in March 2021, SpaceTai claims it can use its own3D printingMore than 90% of the components used in machine-made rockets, greatly reducing production costs.Its features include

• Highly executive team: The team is a composite technical team spanning rocket manufacturing, 3D printing, material science, IT and other fields, and has always maintained efficient and strong execution.
• Rapid iterative R&D model: around3D printing technologyestablish a production line for the entire industry chain of rocket components, and obtain data through planned multiple rounds of real flight tests to achieve rapid iterative research and development.
• Comprehensive cost control: More than 90% of the rocket’s components are directly 3D printed from raw materials into finished products in its own factory.3D printing technologyrocket recycling and reuse technology, vertically integrated business model, can strictly control the cost and price of rockets, and provide space transportation services that ordinary people can afford.
• Aiming at the sea of ​​stars: the business is not only in the earth, but will expand to the fields of spacecraft, low-orbit communication satellites, space tourism, and planet development.3D printerWill help build bases on other planets.

American companies such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Rocket Lab and Relativity Space, and the UK’s Skyrora and Orbex, are among the companies developing 3D printing technology to produce rockets.

SpaceTai is developing a rocket engine called “Little Ant,” which uses liquid oxygen and kerosene fuel as propellants and outperforms the gas generator cycle technology commonly used in the commercial aerospace industry.

The first and second Xiaoyi are expected to have a thrust of 20 and 30 tons at sea level, respectively. Each engine can be manufactured within 30 days. SpaceTai claims it is developing a next-generation engine called the Giant Ant that will have a thrust of 200 tons at sea level.

SpaceTai has designed and produced its ownMetal 3D Printingmachine, developed assisted 3D printing
software
and 3D printing process.Currently completing the production line in Xi’an3D printera problem.

They are also developing a 3D printer to make rocket casings, reducing the cycle time to make a rocket casing to three months. The production line is under construction at the factory in Shanghai.

SpaceTai is also building a
Metal 3D PrintingServe
, and hope to be applied to more industries. SpaceTai estimates the need
Invest
About 600 million yuan ($94.6 million) will be spent on R&D and factory construction for the rocket and 3D printing businesses.

SpaceTai hopes to put a homemade rocket into orbit in 2024 and plans to complete a suborbital test flight in 2023. It also expects to start a 3D printing business in 2023.

The Antarctic Bear is very much looking forward to seeing this Chinese high-speed experiment in the direction of full 3D printing rockets.After all, with Relativity Space (which has completed a $650 million Series E
financing
), represented by the commercial space rocket company, is ready to start a real commercial launch.

(responsible editor: admin)