UK-based space launch company Skyrora and aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems are to partner on developing additive manufacturing technologies for rockets.
The goals of the partnership includes the research of space technologies, particularly in additive manufacturing (AM). Skyrora will provide Spirit with access to Skyprint 2, an in-house hybrid 3D printer it has developed to produce its engines, which it says is the largest of its kind in Europe.
Located in Skyrora’s manufacturing facility just outside Glasgow, Skyrora believes that research enabled by Skyprint 2 could help develop a local supply chain to reduce costs and lead times for Spirit, bolster industrial cooperation, and promote growth within the UK space sector.
Michael J Ryan, vice president of European space and defence at Spirit AeroSystems said, “Spirit’s role will be to fully industrialize Skyrora’s future production requirements, ensuring a smooth path from development to manufacture.
“Through our support of innovative, sustainable, space technologies and clusters, we can add real value to building UK launch capability.”
Volodymyr Levykin, CEO and founder Skyrora said, “This alliance is a real testament to the strides Skyrora has made, and continues to make, towards our mission of being the first British company to launch from UK soil. It will allow us to renew our focus on localizing our supply chain as much as possible, which is a key part of our mission to create a responsible and sustainable approach to orbital launch.”
“By collaborating with innovative partners like Spirit, Skyrora will be able to access manufacturing and testing capacity right here in the UK.”
Skyrora is developing an agile, end-to-end, launch service to provide access to space for small satellites globally. The company conducted a test launch of its suborbital Skylark L vehicle in October 2022 as part of the company’s incremental learning approach to launch.
Skyrora aims to become the first UK company to vertically launch satellites from the UK and expects to conduct up to 16 launches per year once operating at scale.
Spirit, which is best known for supplying fuselages to commercial aircraft OEMs said its presence in UK space is growing with an offering of AM and testing solutions in metallics and composites.
