Additive Manufactured Fuel Tank to be Tested on Future Flight
Developed Cooperatively by Momentus and Velo3D
An additive manufactured fuel tank developed by Momentus and Velo3D is set to be flight tested on the upcoming Vigoride-7 Orbital Service Vehicle mission. This milestone demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing to accelerate innovation in spacecraft design, reduce production timelines, and enable complex geometries that improve performance in demanding space environments.
“Testing an additively manufactured fuel tank on Vigoride-7 is a major achievement for Momentus and a testament to the strength of our partnership with Velo3D.”
John Rood, Momentus
The fuel tank, designed by Momentus and manufactured using Velo3D’s advanced metal 3D printing technology, represents a significant step forward in the adoption of additive manufacturing for mission-critical spacecraft components. By leveraging Velo3D’s fully integrated solution, Momentus designed and produced a tank with optimized features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Momentus plans to utilize 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.
“Testing an additively manufactured fuel tank on Vigoride-7 is a major achievement for Momentus and a testament to the strength of our partnership with Velo3D,” said John Rood, Chief Executive Officer of Momentus. “Additive manufacturing opens new possibilities for spacecraft design and production, and this successful demonstration paves the way for broader adoption across our future missions.”
“Momentus is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space transportation, and we’re proud to support their vision with our technology,” said Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “Our additive manufacturing 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 additive manufacturing into its supply chain, Momentus aims to reduce costs, shorten development cycles, and enhance the resilience of its spacecraft systems.