Largest 3D printing satellite components

Holding one of the “biggest ever” titles is the team of Thales Alenia Space (TAS) and Poly-Shape, which broke a very specific record by creating the largest-ever qualified parts to be 3D printed in Europe using powder-bed metal additive manufacturing for use in orbit. As we saw, very specific – but no less impressive. The partnership was begun last fall when the two companies agreed to manufacture support structures for South Korea’s newest communication satellites, Koreasat-5A and Koreasat-7.

The antenna supports, which were printed by TAS using a Concept Laser X line 1000R 3D printer supplied by service bureau Poly-Shape, are basic structures that allow the satellites to communicate with the ground base, but the key of the 3D printed parts is their light weight. 

Although their dimensions are 450 x 205 x 390 mm, they weigh only 1.5 kg, significantly less than the same components manufactured by other methods.