Melbourne-based additive manufacturing company Titomic has entered into a commercial research & development agreement with RMIT University to deliver satellite components for Lockheed Martin.
The study will assess the capabilities of the Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) industrial-scale additive manufacturing process to create structural satellite parts made from a high-performance metal. Titomic’s participation in this joint research project will analyse the various capabilities of both traditional and additive manufacturing methods relative to radiation shielding within satellites.
Under the research agreement, Titomic will manufacture high-performance, metal demonstration samples for satellite parts using TKF. The research project may also lead to commercial opportunities for Titomic within the space and defence sectors following the successful validation of the additively manufactured demonstration satellite parts.
Titomic’s Managing Director Jeff Lang said: “Titomic is excited to be involved in this RMIT joint research initiative alongside Lockheed Martin, which will provide significant mutual benefit for all involved. As we demonstrate the unique capabilities of TKF for the additive manufacture of satellite structures using high-performance metals and superalloys, we are also enabling exponentially faster production to reduce lead times for the space industry, from months to hours, compared to traditional processes.”
Professor Milan Brandt of RMIT University added: “RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing is excited to be working with long-term partner Lockheed Martin and Titomic to advance the state of the art in advanced manufacturing methods for protection of satellites from space radiation. The combination of additive manufacturing and highly-dense materials for this application offers new opportunities for not only increased radiation resistance but significantly reduced lead times for the manufacture of new satellites.”
The small satellite components (cubes) market for commercial and government applications in the main areas of telecommunications, broadcasting and data communications has a market size anticipated to grow from USD$4.18bn in 2018 to USD$18.30bn by 2026, at a CAGR of 20.28%1.