The Top Examples of 3D Printed Rockets

Since the moon landing in 1969, humanity has never stopped reaching for the stars. What has changed, however, are the means of getting there. Since Apollo 11, rockets have changed immensely with innovation being the name of the game and in most recent years that has created additive manufacturing. More and more we are seeing 3D printed rockets, both those that are being developed and that have already been sent into space. In the following listing (in no particular order), we took a look at some of the most exciting projects, including everything from fully 3D printed rockets to engines and other parts that have been made and optimized using additive manufacturing.

Agnibaan From Angikul Cosmos

Agnibaan is one of the most recent 3D printed rocket projects, coming directly from Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian aerospace manufacturer that believes that going to space should be within everyone’s reach. It is for that reason that the company turned to 3D printing. Agnibaan (meaning “an arrow of fire” in Sanskrit) is claimed by the company to be the world’s first rocket with a single piece 3D printed engine, although Agnikul has not announced which technologies were used for the project. Agnibaan’s successful launch on May 30th at 7:15AM marks a huge step forward for additive manufacturing in the Indian space industry.

Photo Credits: Agnikul Cosmos

The E-2 Rocket Engine From Launcher

Launcher is a company founded in 2017 that worked in partnership with the US Space Force, the US Air Force and NASA to develop high-performance rockets and orbital transfer vehicles, it was acquired by Vast in 2023. But before then, by integrating state-of-the-art liquid propulsion technology and using 3D printing, the E-2 liquid rocket engine was created. This is a closed combustion engine with a combustion chamber made of a copper-chromium-zirconium alloy, which reduces costs and dependence on supply chains. Launcher is the first company in the launch vehicle sector to use 3D-printed copper alloys to manufacture the combustion chamber of a rocket engine. The combustion chamber also has integrated cooling channels to increase thermal efficiency. Together with AMCM, Launcher developed the AMCM M 4K 3D printer, which was then used to print the combustion chamber. The coaxial injector of the E-2 engine was produced on a Velo3D Sapphire 3D printer. In April 2022, the 3D printed E-2 engine reached full thrust during testing at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, whereupon Launcher announced the successful completion of the test run.