3D printing for aerospace is playing a significant role in accelerating the space industry. 3D printing has been used to manufacture rocket engines, fuel tanks and other critical rocket components. It is also being used to create tools, molds and jigs for spacecraft assembly. It allows for rapid prototyping and the development of new spacecraft designs. 3D printing is also used to build entire satellites.
As the technology is getting more accessible, not just global players but the Indian aerospace industry is also booming rapidly. To help aerospace companies innovate better, the Indian government is also easing its way by offering various lucrative schemes and grants.
3D printing rockets is not an easy task, and it needs significant advanced technologies and resources. But using the latest additive manufacturing technologies, Indian companies are doing a commendable job.
Role of Indian Govt For The Space Exploration Industry
The Indian Govt is doing an incredible job helping private players and startups compete globally. On the 11th of October, 2021, the government launched the Indian Space Association (ISPA) in New Delhi. It will focus on bringing critical technology and investment into the country for the space industry. In addition, the government is working closely towards building frameworks and policies that will help Indian companies do complex work at a large scale and deliver practical innovations.
The government’s goal is to build a sustainable and cost-effective ecosystem for companies working in the space domain. India accounts for only 2% of the global space economy, but the number is growing every passing day. As more companies enter the space domain, it will be easy to dominate the global space using 3d printing in India.
Companies That Are Maturing The Indian Space Industry:
Apart from ISRO, a couple of serious players are committed to transforming the current scenario of the space exploration industry. Below are the top three companies working closely to transform the Indian space industry using 3d print solutions.
1. Agnikul Cosmo:
It is an IIT Madras incubated space tech startup and offers its small-lift launch vehicle called Agnibaan. This space vehicle can place a 100 kg payload into a 700 km orbit. It works on LOX/Kerosene engines. The best part about this space vehicle is that customers can customize it as per their requirements. The company is constantly working on other projects to complete on global levels.
2. Skyroot Aerospace:
This company is leveraging various services from 3d printing startups to strengthen its manufacturing process. It’s a private space-tech organization building rockets for commercial operations. In addition, the company has also raised funding of $4.5 million to test multiple prototypes. The company is currently building its critical infrastructure to facilitate the launch of its rocket, Vikram.
3. Pixxel:
The company is targeting to launch a constellation of 25+ earth observation micro-satellites in space. The company focuses on two essential things: infrastructure development, building satellite constellations, and developing advanced technologies for efficient functioning.
Future of Indian Aerospace Industry:
According to reports, the Indian market is projected to touch the mark of $ 70 billion by 2030 due to heavy demand from commercial players and the support of the Indian government. This accelerated growth is attracting the interest of global investors and creating healthy competition in the market.
The current scenario of 3d printing services in space is that it’s being used for rapid prototyping and the manufacturing of small satellites. However, with the advancements in technology, there is a high potential for using 3d printing for full-fledged rocket manufacturing in the future. It will help reduce the cost of space exploration and make it more accessible for commercial players.
The Indian space industry is growing at a scale, and with the help of government initiatives and private players, it is ready to take over the global space domain. 3D printing is already playing a significant role in this transformation by helping companies build complex spacecraft designs quickly and at a lower cost.
Participation of Countries Like the USA and China:
The current US space market size clocks at around $12.67 billion. In addition, China tops the list with a space exploration market size of $160.13 billion. Countries like the US and China are closely working to strengthen their hold in the space industry.
When it comes to the Indian market, it’s picking up the pace rapidly as more private players are entering this domain. In the future, India will likely emerge as a vital player in the global space race. It can be attributed to the advancements in 3D printing technology, which are helping companies reduce the cost of space exploration.
How is 3d Printing Helping the Space Industry:
3D printing is helping the space industry by offering a fast, low-cost and reliable manufacturing process. It is achieved by using various 3D printing technologies, including additive manufacturing, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, and more. The main benefits of using 3d printing for space exploration are:
1) Reduced cost and time: 3D printing helps reduce the manufacturing cost and time by up to 50%. In addition, it eliminates the need for manual labour and allows for quick iterations during the design phase.
2) Improved performance: 3D printed parts have better mechanical properties than traditional parts. They are also lighter in weight and can withstand high pressure and temperature fluctuations.
3) Increased flexibility: 3D printing allows for printing complex geometries, which is not possible with traditional manufacturing processes. As a result, it helps design and develop advanced spacecraft components.
4) Enhanced reliability: 3D printing helps increase the reliability of spacecraft components by reducing the chances of human error. In addition, it also facilitates the use of high-quality materials for parts that require high performance.
Final Words
The overall space ecosystem and the demand for a professional 3d printing company in India is growing. It attracts the interest of Indian space startups and established players to upgrade their manufacturing process through 3D printing. Therefore, in the future, we will see more innovative solutions from space companies leveraging 3d printing.
