Charles G. Goulding explains how breakthroughs in 3D printing are ending the era of one-alloy parts, allowing engineers to design materials that change composition within a single component for unprecedented performance.
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From Procurement to Production: The Pentagon’s US$1 Billion Bet on Capacity
Charles R. Goulding and Nimra Shakoor explain how L3Harris’ decades-long commitment to 3D printing helped position it at the center of a new government-backed model for defense readiness.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Additive Manufacturing Powers the Future of Defense and Space
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi take a closer look at how Kratos leverages additive manufacturing to move faster, reduce costs, and support next-generation defense and space systems.
Titomic Signs NASA Agreement For Cold Spray Testing
Titomic has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to test cold spray manufactured components, a move that could push solid-state additive manufacturing closer to flight-critical use.
Raven Space Systems Relocates to Colorado to Scale Flight-Grade Composite 3D Printing
In this article, Anthony Palumbo and Charles Goulding examine Raven Space Systems’ relocation to Broomfield, Colorado, and how its patented Microwave Assisted Deposition technology could accelerate production of aerospace-grade composite hardware for hypersonic, reentry, and satellite applications.
GRX-810: How NASA Designed a High-Performance Alloy for Faster, Stronger Metal 3D Printing
NASA developed a unique 3D printable metal alloy that has incredible performance.
NASA Investigates Catastrophic 3D Printed Rocket Engine Failure During Hot Fire Test
Researchers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center have analyzed what is likely the most spectacular 3D print failure ever seen.
Design of the Week: Mont Mercou on Mars
This week’s selection is the Mont Mercou on Mars 3D model by Simeon Schmauß of LPG Nantes.
NASA and Fortify Partner to 3D Print Cost-Effective Antenna for Space Applications
Fortify helped NASA 3D print an inexpensive antenna for space applications.
NASA and GrabCAD Launch Bioreactor Design Contest for Deep Space Food Production
We don’t normally post stories on design contests, but this one is different: it’s from NASA.
NASA Explores Laser Welding in Space: Implications for 3D Printing
NASA is launching a new scientific research project that may impact future 3D printing.
Rocket Lab to Study Bringing Rock Samples from Mars for NASA
Using vertically integrated technologies as part of the Mars Sample Return Program.
NASA Qualifies Elementum 3D’s Aluminum Alloy for Rocket Engine 3D Printing
NASA qualified a very interesting additive manufacturing material for rocket engines.
Design of the Week: Pillars of Creation
This week’s selection is the Pillars of Creation by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
#3DBenchy in Space: NASA Tests Volumetric Process in Weightless Environment
A report describes a NASA experiment to 3D print in space using a volumetric process.
The Critical Role for 3D Printing in Space: Integrated Cooling Metal Parts
A new metal 3D printed part illustrates the importance of the technology for space applications.
Revolutionary GRX-810 Superalloy from NASA Now Licensed to Key Industry Partners
NASA has exclusively licensed a unique metal 3D print material to four partners.
Feeding the Final Frontier: How 3D Printing is Redefining Space Food
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore 3D printing for space food production.
Stratasys To Test Materials on the Lunar Surface in 2025
Stratasys announced a deal to send their 3D prints to the lunar surface.
NASA Evaluating Volumetric 3D Printing for Space Missions
An interesting reveal at NASA: they been testing a volumetric 3D printer in a weightless environment.
NASA Seeks Volunteers for Year-Long Mars Simulation in 3D Printed Habitat
NASA announced a new call for volunteers to live in a 3D printed Mars habitat.
NASA Innovates with 3D Printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine
NASA announced they’ve 3D printed a very different type of rocket engine.
How ULA’s Sale Could Change Aerospace Manufacturing
Preeti Sulibhavi and Charles Goulding look at the 3D print possibilities that may open up should United Launch Alliance (ULA) be sold.
ORNL Researchers Explore 3D Printing for Lunar Rover Wheels
Researchers at ORNL have been 3D printing prototype lunar wheels.
Exploring ‘The Smart Mission’: NASA’s Lessons in Knowledge and Project Management
Charles R. Goulding reflects on “The Smart Mission” and what we can takeaway from studying successful organizations as well as private industry disruptors.
The Curved Advantage: 3D Printed Electronics for Space Applications
NASA announced a successful test of 3D printed electronics in space.
NASA’s CHAPEA Program: Living in a 3D Printed Martian Home for a Year
Would you live in a 3D printed house for a year? NASA volunteers are doing so.
NASA Announces New Research Institute Focused on Advanced Manufacturing
NASA announced the creation of a new research institute dedicated to advanced manufacturing.
Investigating a Unique 3D Printing Technique on the International Space Station
An obscure experiment on board the International Space Station could be a path for a very unusual 3D printing technique.
BeeHex Is Developing a Way to 3D Print Food From Plastic
We haven’t written about BeeHex for quite some time, but it turns out they’ve been developing an unusual food 3D printing technology involving plastics.
ICON Awarded Massive NASA Contract for Lunar 3D Printing
ICON has landed a US$57.2M contract with NASA to 3D print a Lunar 3D printing system.
NASA’s 3D Printed Metal Alloy Breakthrough
NASA announced the development of a powerful new metal alloy that will be of specific interest by the aerospace sector.
Life on Mars and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how buildings could be 3D printed on another planet.
Experimental Warp Drive Vehicle To Be 3D Printed?
A curious scientific discovery could lead to a 3D printed space vehicle using warp drive, according to a recent announcement.
Deere vs. Cat and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at two different equipment manufacturers and how they use 3D printing technology.
Fabrisonic’s Space Ambitions
Another company announced intentions to produce a space-based 3D printer: Fabrisonic.
Would You Live in a 3D Printed Martian Home for a Year?
NASA is looking for volunteers to inhabit a 3D printed Martian home.
NASA’s Redwire Regolith 3D Print Project
NASA has a new project to 3D print regolith.
Students 3D Print Prototype “Lunar PAD”
A prototype lunar landing pad has been designed by students and 3D printed by ICON.
The Race To Space And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Adam Friedman consider how 3D printing fits into space-focused investment activity.
Relativity Space Bags Major 3D Printed Rocket Client
Relativity Space has landed a major client, Lockheed.
Eleven 3D Printed Parts On NASA’s Perseverance Rover
NASA has revealed their use of 3D printed parts on the Perseverance rover, currently en route to the planet Mars.
NASA Looks To Large-Scale 3D Printing For The Future Of Rocket Engines
As NASA continues to ramp up its work to explore space, 3D printing is taking its place among the stars — or at least the rockets that will get us there.
SpaceX Triggers Increased Use Of 3D Printing?
I’m seeing another reason companies will increase their adoption of 3D printing, and this time it’s at the top end of a rocket.
Space-Based Manufacturing Project Hints at Digital Manufacturing Constraints
Some thoughts about in-space manufacturing suggest a slightly different view of what digital inventory projects could or could not achieve on the ground.
Space Startup Offering Earth-Based 3D Printed Housing Experience
Want to stay in a space habitat? One 3D printed space habitat is being offered to the public for short stays, but it’s located on Earth.
NASA has been 3D Printing Ice — In Plastic
How do you make aircraft wings resistant to icing? By carefully 3D scanning the way wing icing occurs, and 3D printing test wings.
The Importance and Potential of 3D Printing
3D printing has the potential to transform numerous industries. From medicine to automotive, many sectors have felt the benefits of this technology and what it can do.
NASA’s BFF: A Microgravity Bioprinter to Print Human Tissue
This week a bioprinter will be launched to the International Space Station to test 3D printing organs and tissue. Find out why this could be important in the future.
NASA Funds Made In Space with US$73M For Orbital 3D Printing
Could gigantic habitats be built in space? Made In Space’s Archinaut 3D printer is to demonstrate how to 3D print metal structures in orbit very soon.
Relativity Space Spends US$59M On Massive 3D Printer Farm
Relativity Space has signed a deal with NASA to develop a rocket-printing factory.
Fabrisonic To Space!
This week we found out Fabrisonic intends to develop a space-rated 3D printer.
NASA’s Final 3D Printed Habitat Winners Announced
NASA’s four-year 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge has announced its top prizes.
Metal 3D Printing In Question After SpaceX Incident
A catastrophic incident destroyed a SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule, and it might have been caused by 3D printing.
NASA Spins Off 3D Printing Technique
I’m reading about how NASA has been using 3D printing on their giant SLS rocket, and noticed they were using a technique we have not written about previously.
NASA Tests Composite Overwrap 3D Printed Rocket Thruster
NASA has successfully tested an unusual rocket thruster made with 3D printing and a composite overwrap.
NASA Announces Finalists for 3D Printed Mars Habitat
NASA announced three finalists for their ongoing “3D-Printed Habitat Challenge”.
Combining 3D Printing with Shape Memory Alloys
After watching a fascinating video about shape memory alloys, I realize there are many possible 3D print applications.
NASA Testing Antibacterial 3D Print Materials, But Should You?
It appears that NASA is testing some antibacterial 3D printing materials for potential space use.
NASA Hopped Up a 3D Printer in 2016
I wish I’d seen this earlier: A 2016 NASA project transformed a desktop 3D printer into one capable of 3D printing ULTEM.
NASA Awards FIve Teams in the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge
NASA’s 3D printed challenge awarded prizes for phase 3.
Hybrid Metal 3D Printer from Made In Space Gets NASA Funding
The New Space space is heating up as an increasing number of private companies leverage 3D printing to push next-generation space technology.
NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge Now in Third Phase
The long-running NASA challenge to create a 3D printed space habitat is now launching the third phase of the competition.
Possibly Game-Changing 3D Print Spinoff From NASA?
NASA announced they’re working on something called the “Refabricator”, and I’m wondering where this is going.
NASA’s 3D Printed Challenge Reaches Prize Stage
The ongoing 3D print innovation challenge by NASA has awarded USD$400,000 to two entrants.
Made In Space Begins 3D Printing PEI/PC on the ISS
Earlier this year, we spoke to Made In Space President Andrew Rush about some of the new exciting projects that the company is working on.
NASA Announces Winners in Phase 2 Level 2 of the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge
NASA’s long-running challenge to develop a feasible means of 3D printing habitats on Mars and the Moon took another step forward.
NASA’s Medical 3D Printing Challenge
NASA has announced another 3D printing challenge, this time for K-12 students to develop medical technology for use on a potential Mars voyage.
Phase 2 of NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge is Open
NASA has opened up “phase 2” of their 3D Printed Habitat Challenge.
NASA’s Aerosol Jet 3D Printing Experiment’s Will Change Your Factory
It seems that NASA has been experimenting with Aerosol Jet 3D printing and their work could leak into other applications.
3D Printer On Space Station Shelved?
It appears the 3D printer on the International Space Station is no longer in use.
Aerojet Rocketdyne 3D Prints Nozzles For The Orion Spacecraft
Aerojet Rocketdyne announced they’ve 3D printed twelve specialized rocket nozzle extensions for the new Orion spacecraft.
NASA Picks Made In Space To 3D Print Large Structures
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate selected space 3D printer manufacturer Made In Space to create large-scale 3D printing capabilities.
NASA Announces Finalists for 3D Printed Space Habitat
NASA and America Makes’ contest to develop ideas for a 3D printed space habitat has converged on 30 finalists.
NASA’s Ever-Increasing Library of 3D Models
Did you know that US space agency NASA offers a formidable set of 3D models available for 3D printing?
Design of the Week: Curiosity Rover
This week’s selection is NASA’s amazingly detailed 3D model of their distant Curiosity Rover.
Free 3D Models Of The Martian Surface Available
NASA has published a very useful Mars exploration tool, MarsTrek, which happens to also provide 3D model download, too.
Can You Design a 3D Printed Off-World Habitat?
NASA and America Makes are sponsoring a new challenge for designers to create concepts for a space habitat made with 3D printing technology.
NASA 3D Prints Copper Rocket Part
US space agency NASA has 3D printed a full-scale rocket engine part in copper.
Space 3D Prints Returned To Earth Inspected By NASA
Remember the 3D printer sent to the International Space Station? The first prints from it have been examined by NASA.
Orbiting 3D Printer Completes First Tests
The prototype 3D printer that’s been installed on the International Space Station has just completed its first round of tests.
Design of the Week: New Horizons
This week’s selection is NASA’s 3D model of their New Horizons spacecraft.
The Greatest 3D Print Challenge
GrabCAD and NASA announced what could be the grandest 3D printing challenge ever: win and your design goes into space!
Reproducing the Space Wrench
The other week NASA transmitted a wrench to the International Space Station by 3D printing. We did it, too.
Space 3D Printer Is Installed
A few short weeks ago a SpaceX cargo craft carried a unique experiment: A 3D printer designed for space. Now it’s being installed.