3D Printed Rocket Engine Tested In India
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced the success of a fire test of a rocket engine that was manufactured using 3D printing. The test sample used was a new version of the PS4 engine designed for the upper stage of the PSLV, India’s 3rd generation launch vehicle.
Tests of the engine created on a 3D printer took place on May 9. The unit, which burned a hypergolic mixture of dinitrogen tetroxide and monomethylhydrazine, operated for 665 seconds, which was a major achievement for scientists. Such engines are used in India’s small Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
ISRO noted that the use of additive technologies made it possible to reduce the number of engine parts from 14 to 1. Due to this, it was possible to eliminate 19 welded joints from the design, as well as significantly save on raw materials for production. In addition to this, the 3D printing approach reduced engine production time by 60%.
ISRO plans to include the AM PS4 engine in the standard PSLV program. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is India’s third generation launch vehicle.
