China3D printingOn June 9th, the aerospace company ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and Safran Group, announced that it has successfully tested the first fully powered3D printingProduction combustion chamber.
Designed by the company in Germany3D printingThe combustion chamber successfully conducted 14 fire resistance tests on the P8 test stand of the Lampoldshausen test facility at DLR German Aerospace Center from May 26 to June 2, 2020.
The manufacturing and testing of the combustion chamber was carried out by ArianeGroup and DLR under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Expander-Cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator (ETID) project, which is part of ESA’s Future Launcher Preparation Program (FLPP) .These tests verify whether the ESA Prometheus engine test model (M1) is used3D printingHardware components. ArianeGroup believes that the success of the test has paved the way for a rocket engine made entirely of additive manufacturing.
Prometheus gas generator is happening. Picture from ArianeGroup.
3D printingCombustor demonstrator
ArianeGroup, formed by multinational airlines Airbus and Safran, was established to promote the development and subsequent production of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle for ESA.
3D printingIt has played a key role in the development of the Ariane 6 engine and has been used to manufacture many components.Last year, ESA completed the full scale of ArienGroup3D printingThe first heat test of the rocket engine demonstration program BERTA (Biergoler Raumttransportaengine / Biergoler space transport drive), which is part of the Ariane 6 development pipeline, the project is worth 3.6 billion euros (about 4 billion US dollars).
In addition to reducing costs and shortening the production cycle, use3D printingIt also allows ArianeGroup to integrate auxiliary power unit (APU) into Ariane 6, which ultimately improves the launcher’s unparalleled ability to meet various mission requirements.
The company last year3D printingThe combustion chamber was tested for fire resistance. The company conducted a heat test event last year, which verified 14 technical components for the future liquid propellant rocket engine. The company explained that the results obtained represent a key step in preparing for the future development of low-cost rocket engines.
It’s not just ArianeGroup and ESA that recognize3D printingAdvantages in the manufacture of combustion chambers and rocket engines.Used by Launcher, a private aerospace company3D printingManufacturing combustion chambers for its E-2 rocket engine.Electron Rocket of Rocket Lab, a California-based aerospace company, will also be managed by its3D printingPowered by Rutherford engines, the rocket will be used in upcoming missions with the US Space Force.
Prometheus engine. Picture from ArianeGroup.
ESA’s Prometheus engine
ArianeGroup (ArianeGroup)3D printingThe combustion chamber is a comprehensive demonstrator for the super-engine of the launcher.It combines propulsion technology and aims to verify innovative manufacturing technologies, materials and processes, such as3D printing, Laser ignition and the use of low-cost materials.
It has many innovative features, including low-cost copper alloy cooling channels and a jacket made by cold spray additive manufacturing.The combustion chamber is also equipped with laser melting3D printingOne-piece spray head made by the process. ArianeGroup explained that this is an ideal solution that can significantly reduce future engine manufacturing time and production costs.
China3D printingNet Comments: Looking to the future, successful verification means that ArianeGroup will use all its liquid propellant engines3D printing, Including upper engines such as ETID and high-thrust Maine engineers such as Prometheus. The company signed a contract with ESA to manufacture Prometheus in 2017. ESA’s Prometheus is the predecessor of the ultra-low cost rocket propulsion system, designed to be flexible enough to adapt to new launch vehicles for any mission, and with potential for reusability.
The work of ETID and Prometheus is being carried out under ESA’s FLPP initiative. The plan aims to enhance the competitiveness of future European transmitters by providing mature technology solutions that can be quickly deployed and developing products with lower cost, workload and risk.
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