NASA’s 3D Printed Rocket Engine Produces 20,000 Pounds of Thrust
NASA has now officially created a rocket made out of 3-D printed parts. Once filled with hydrogen and oxygen, the rocket produces 20,000 pounds of thrust and generates spectacular flames.
Sources reveal that NASA has been working on 3-D printed rockets for a while now, but this specific rocket engine is the first of its kind; 75% of its parts are 3-D printed -the highest percentage so far. Check out the video below which shows the rocket engine producing impressive amounts of fire. The video shows that the fire from the engine lasts for as long as ten seconds.
3-D printed components of a rocket have some clear advantages like it helps to build complex parts using a relatively simple process of laser-sintering at NASA. This means that components which would have otherwise taken years to build can now be built within a few months. Additionally, engineers can now also build parts as a single unit instead of working on them separately.
On the other hand, one of the apprehensions against 3-D printed parts is that they are not as sturdy as their counterparts. However, being subjected to extremely hostile conditions have revealed no such flaw and the components have performed beautifully. Here’s another video to help you appreciate the awesomeness of 3-D printed components.
Are you Team 3D printing or not then?
