Momentus Inc, a US-based commercial space company offering in-space transportation and infrastructure services, has announced the development of a 3-D printed fuel tank. It is scheduled to undergo flight testing aboard Momentus’s Vigoride-7 Orbital Service Vehicle.
The tank was produced in collaboration with
Velo3D in California, a leading provider of advanced metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology. This milestone demonstrates the potential of AM to accelerate innovation in spacecraft design, reduce production timelines, and enable complex geometries that improve performance in demanding space environments.
The fuel tank, designed by Momentus and manufactured using Velo3D’s advanced metal 3-D printing technology, represents a significant step forward in the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) for mission-critical spacecraft components. By leveraging Velo3D’s fully integrated solution, Momentus designed and produced a tank with optimised features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Momentus plans to utilise this technology to serve new markets as a qualified supplier for space-rated fuel tanks that typically are high cost and require long lead times.
Momentus’s CEO John Rood said: “Testing an additively manufactured (AM) fuel tank on Vigoride-7 is a major achievement for Momentus and a testament to the strength of our partnership with Velo3D. AM opens new possibilities for spacecraft design and production, and this successful demonstration paves the way for broader adoption across our future missions.”
Velo3D’s CEO Arun Jeldi added: “Momentus is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space transportation, and we are proud to support their vision with our technology. Our additive manufacturing (AM) platform enables aerospace innovators to design without compromise, and this fuel tank is a perfect example of how advanced manufacturing can deliver performance and reliability in space.”
The Vigoride-7 mission marks another step in Momentus’ commitment to advancing in-space infrastructure and services. By integrating AM into its supply chain, Momentus aims to reduce costs, shorten development cycles, and enhance the resilience of its spacecraft systems.