SpaceX Launches First-ever Turkmenistan Satellite into Orbit, Bears 3D Printed Strut

Formnext

Share this Article

tu

The true generosity of Turkmenistan toward their people in terms of launching a new satellite system for ‘helping’ with entertainment and news is rather dubious, coming from a draconian isolationist government that rules with repression. Their government was, however, generous enough to let us launch their new satellite today, making history in a couple of ways.images

Launched early this morning from Florida’s famed Cape Canaveral in coordination with several other entities, the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT telecommunications satellite does boast something new technologically, indeed signalling the wave of a new beginning in how components are made for various spacecraft.

The satellite will make the history books as the first satellite sent into orbit bearing a 3D printed component.

turkmenalem52e-monacosat-telecom-satellite-lgServing as a perfect example of how 3D printing right now is working with traditional manufacturing in making products where there is no negotiating regarding quality and performance, the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT, made by Thales Alenia Space, was constructed using 3D printing to make the T&C antenna horn mounting strut.

The satellite is also making history with ‘flexible’ traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA), which provide adjustable output power.

Meant to have a longevity of 16 years, the satellite weighed 4.7 metric tons upon launching from Cape Canaveral. With the Turkmenistan Ministry of Communications using Monaco’s 52E orbital position through the Space System International – Monaco, this satellite will have the ability to cover:

  • Europe
  • Central Asia, to China border
  • Nearly all of Africa

“This satellite will boost the quality of broadcasts of national television and radio channels and will create conditions for live TV (and) a high-quality system for the Internet,” said Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. “…It will be followed by further successes of the country, now already on a cosmic level.”

tkm-salles_blanches_focusWhile communications, internet, and access to the rest of the world is questionable in Berdymukhamedov’s country, chosen contractor Thales Alenia Space is certainly moving further on the map as a leader in aerospace manufacturing, and as the primary contractor chosen for this delivery. They were responsible for:

  • Designing and manufacturing the satellite
  • Producing equipment for two ground satellite control stations
  • Handling all associated services, including provision of launch services

With the use of 3D printing in aerospace components actually being sent into orbit, this is of course most likely just the beginning for use of the innovative and affordable technology. Thales Alenia Space, a French-Italian company, is headquartered in six countries, including the US, and employs 7,500 people. They’ve historically been responsible for building and manufacturing modules for vehicles like space shuttle orbiters, as well as several modules for the International Space Station.

The government’s satellite was launched by California-based SpaceX, a progressive company we’ve reported on many times, mainly regarding supply ships they have been rocketing into space for docking at the ISS, bearing thousands of pounds of goodies to include the first 3D printer in space and materials. The supply ship, the Dragon, has also returned, bearing 3D models that were actually 3D printed from space—amazing times that these are—with everything to be analyzed and inspected for future project planning.

How do you see 3D printing impacting space travel as a whole? Share your thoughts with us in the Turkmenistan Satellite Bearing 3D Printed Strut forum thread over at 3DPB.com.

 



Share this Article


Recent News

3D Printed Drone Accelerator Firestorm Labs Continues Its Tear With $47M Series A

AM Research Reports $3.58B AM Market in Q1 2025, Upgrades Metal Forecast



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

XJet Sells Metal 3D Printer to Mold Maker, Deepens Partnership with Youngstown Business Incubator

Back in 2017, XJet, the Israel-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of metal and ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) systems, sold its first machine in the North American market, a Carmel 1400C...

Featured

Croom Medical Signals Potential for 3D Print Diversification in Nuclear Fusion

As international interest in reshoring continues to mount, the additive manufacturing (AM) industry clearly has key advantages to offer suppliers scrambling to develop alternatives to traditional supply chains. One of...

Featured

From Concept to Reality: Nikon AM CEO Hamid Zarringhalam on Executing a Metal 3D Printing Strategy

There are countless metrics you can use, whether quantitative or qualitative, to judge the success of an organization. One of the most important may simply be the organization’s ability to...

Havaianas Collaborates with Zellerfeld to Launch 3D Printed Flip-Flops

The shoe of the summer is undoubtedly the flip-flop. Easy on, easy off, your feet won’t get sweaty because there’s not much material, and they’re available in a veritable rainbow...