Developing Additively Manufactured Engine Parts for Small Launch Vehicles and Reusable Launch Vehicles

In recent years, new space companies have been using additive manufacturing to develop and produce engine components. This study shows the results of using additive manufacturing to produce methane engine components for the development of small launch vehicles and reusable launch vehicles in South Korea. The 1-, 3-, and 35-tonf thrust engine combustors were fabricated using powder bed fusion, and the design had to be modified to create fine regenerative cooling channels because the powder sometimes clogged the channels and was difficult to remove. Combustion tests confirmed that both nickel-based and copper-based alloys can be used as combustion chambers.