NASA Additive Manufacturing Initiatives for Deep Space Human Exploration

Abstract: Additive Manufacturing (AM) is being infused into aerospace industries at an accelerated pace. Reasons for this rapid adoption include: (1) Innovation Capability e.g. design features such as topology optimization, integrated fluid passages, and mesh structures; (2) Rapid Development and Optimization – ability to quickly iterate the design, development, and test cycle; (3) Affordability – reductions in part counts, cost, and schedule. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has taken a lead…