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Originally Posted by DaFace
The rocket test is even more impressive. They are hoping to have these things land themselves so softly that they can reassemble, refuel, and relaunch in only a couple days.
They've got a long way to go, but if they can pull it off, it will DRAMATICALLY decrease the cost of space flight as we know it.
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Even more impressive is that the engines are 3D printed. I thought I misheard Tony, err, I mean Elon, when he said that.
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Originally Posted by 3DPrint.com
http://3dprint.com/4740/spacex-dragon-2-3d-print/
So, how is SpaceX able to produce such a powerful thruster, at minimal costs, and still meet the strict deadlines set by their client, NASA? For one, they use 3D printing. That’s right, the most advanced manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft on the planet, relies on a process called direct metal laser sintering, to create one of the most important components of the SuperDraco thruster, the combustion chamber for the engine. The chambers are 3D printed with a material called Inconel, which is very high performance nickel chromium superalloy, known for its amazing strength and toughness.
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Obligatory test firing video!