What is a 3D-printed rocket engine? 7 points to know after successful ISRO test

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked another achievement to its list of success stories on Friday, May 10, by successfully conducting a hot test of a liquid rocket engine created with Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology also known in common language as 3D printing.

Let's have a look at top 7 points about the 3D-printed rocket engine:

• The engine that the space agency tested is the PS4 engine used in the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the upper stage (PS1) of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• As per ISRO's statement, the same engine is used in the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the first stage (PS1) of PSLV.
• The test was conducted on Friday in Tamil Nadu at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.

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• Consequently, the new engine now saves 97 per cent of raw materials and reduces production time by 60 per cent.
•  A total of 13.7 kg of metal powder is needed now as compared to the earlier requirements of 565 kg of forgings and sheets for conventional manufacturing process.
• A press release from the space agency stated, “ISRO achieved the major milestone with the successful hot testing of a liquid rocket engine manufactured through AM technology for a duration of 665 seconds on May 9."

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• Highlighted the breakthrough, the space agency also took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post read, “Design & Manufacturing Breakthrough: ISRO successfully conducts a long-duration test of the PS4 engine, re-designed for production using cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and crafted in the Indian industry.”

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The space agency noted that after the successful administration of test, the number of parts deployed has been brought down to 1 from 14 with the employment of the Laser Powder Bed Fusion technique. This further eliminated 19 weld joints, subsequently saving upon raw material usage per engine tremendously. 

(With agency inputs)