3D Printing Rockets
One of the most incredible technologies we are seeing is 3D printing. Of late, I covered 3D printing of homes as well as the advancements in retail.
We see space exploration just starting to kick into gear. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX get a great deal of attention for the progress they are making.
They are not the only game in town thought.
Relativity Space just received $500 million in another round of funding. This provides the company with a "war chest" going forward.
The latest round of funding makes Relativity Space the 2nd most valuable private space company behind SpaceX.
CEO Tim Ellis:
“This really accelerates Relativity’s momentum and scaling as we focus beyond first launch on production and various infrastructure expansion projects,” Ellis said. “Other exciting new initiatives are underway – which we can discuss further next year – with this capital ... but we’re not in the business of taking smaller swings in terms of where we think the technology can go.”
One of the advantages to 3D printing is that it lowers costs. This is of great interest when it comes to space exploration. Costs have been going down over the last decade, mostly due to advancements by SpaceX. However, it is still a very costly business.
Relativity Space is looking to push things down even further, hoping to kickstart things even more. Their first mission is set to take place in 2021. The company has its eyes set on Mars at some point.
Rockets obviously make up a large portion of the costs associated with launches. This is equally true for cargo and astronauts. With space exploration moving into space tourism and colonization, we will see growth in the number of launches over the next decade.
Since we are in the experimentation phase, 3D printing offers great flexibility in what can be created. No longer is rocketry limited based upon the same physical constructs of the past.
Here is a video that shows the process for Relativity Space:
Relativity has a unique perspective on the space race. Unlike Musk who is looking to send people into space, this company prefers to concentrate upon the colonization of Mars.
It is looking to send a small printer into space to be used to help "construct" on that planet.
We are seeing an across-the-board effort. Some entities are looking to send people, others cargo, and still others want to provide the equipment or materials for construction.
3D printing has been a constant in the aeronautical and automotive industry for decades. It is no surprise that space is going to be included in the progress. This technology is going to change how we manufacture, construct, and build.
The idea of 3D printing rockets should greatly accelerate the progress in this area. We can see accelerated improvements since, not only does rocket printing improve, but the printers themselves are going through technological advancements.
When combined we can see some major steps forward in a short period of time. Now, with the funding, Relativity Space can finance the next phase of its development.
It is going to be an interesting decade.
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Who would have thought we're going to do this once, right? It's amazing how many new things we have now, available for household use as well already. I remember some tutorial videos on Hive from a couple of users.
I just wish scientists would pay as much attention to the environment as well and work on sustainability worldwide.
I'm looking forward to see those constructions 🙂
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I dont know how you can conclude they are not. There is a ton of research into different energy sources. We are looking at constructing things from the molecular level that will radically transform how things are built and manufactured.
We are seeing the ability to micro-manufacture, either locally or regionally cut down on transportation costs.
There is so much going on yet most are not aware because the doom and gloomers on the mainstream media just keep touting total bullshit. They have an agenda and it is to scare people.
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Let me rephrase that as most likely I was still sleepy. I meant applying what they are working on and has been already discovered.
While in some continents counties are working towards sustainability, in other continents, garbage and plastic is piling up, people are burning, garbage, tires and plastic to get rid of them, just to name a few.
I know when your no. 1 priority is getting a piece of bread for your kids, going green and saving the planet is not an immediate concern, but very soon the damages done will be huge.
That's what I meant and sorry for the bad wording.
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3D printing also opens up a whole new economic model too. Many big companies in the railway modelling world are facing stiff competition now from small home businesses that are using affordable yet high-quality printers to create all manner of tiny model accessories and selling them through trade groups and social media. They are just as good as the products from the large vendors and the business is more nimble in so much as it can give consumers more choice in quicker time. No more waiting for months from idea to retail.
I haven't waded into buying a printer yet due to my lack of knowledge of CAD but give me time, it will come!
Now if only we could get all these small businesses to trade exclusively using Crypto ;-)
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Another point to this idea is the local or regional printing (manufacturing). Even if it is not at home any time soon, instead of massive plants built in a faraway place, companies can have a lot of local plants, reducing the cost of transportation.
This is one of the biggest moves we are going to see, the development of food and products closer to where they are consumed.
And you are right this will change economic models radically.
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So good!
I need to get my own 3D printer!
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I know about 3d printed and it's amazing to see it make things
Well it was just matter of time when we use it to make space Craft and car and if it becomes normally use it will change the world ass we know it
Looks like building house in days it hour's
How awesome it will be for all to have 3d printer been portable all around
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I have read in the past in an Italian scientific magazine that the 3D printer could also produce food!
If true, it would be truly something incredible ... Let's imagine the poorest populations ... it could finally have the food to survive
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Yes 3D printers are used to produce food but not in the way you would think. It is more a way to prepare it as opposed to creating it. In other words, you need food to go in for food to some out.
But there are many other sectors working on the food problem which are making tremendous progress. Lab grown meats are one, climate controlled farming is another.
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Yes, I have also heard of these new technologies but 3D printing seems something so immediate.
It is also used in the healthcare sector for printing truly precise and efficient prostheses! Miracles of progress :)
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3D printing is something that was many years in the making.
I agree, it is really starting to enter the mainstream. Another area that 3D printing is having a huge impact is in the dental field. Many dental labs print bridges, crowns, and what not.
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What an idea... excellent... you do not have to carry the items .. yiu can make the required items from the 3D printing (ofcoursenot the all but many)... technology has changed too much..
I still remember... five year back when I git first product from 3D priniting - a Demo piece amd it was made of non metallic material and now the metallic prints are also available....
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