Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), a Japanese space startup, has entered a partnership with WAAM3D, a metal 3D printing hardware, software, and materials company, Cranfield University, in the UK, and Aichi Sangyo, an advanced welding, melting, and melting technologies company, to manufacture propellant tanks using metal AM technology, in Japan.
This strategic collaboration leverages the expertise of each partner to achieve agile development in propellant development. WAAM3D will contribute its industry-leading WAAM technology and ecosystem; Cranfield University will contribute its extensive research and knowledge in metal AM; and Aichi Sangyo will offer its experience in implementing AM solutions and its deep understanding of the Japanese market.
“Founded in 2022, our goal is to develop a reusable space vehicle within the next five years,” said Kojiro Hatada, CEO of ISC. “To achieve this goal, a dramatic improvement in development efficiency is essential and [we] have adopted agile development over traditional models and, in December, successfully conducted Japan’s first ‘reusable space vehicle’ development. We position AM technology as crucial for achieving this ambitious goal by enabling rapid prototyping, testing, and design optimization. [This] partnership signifies a significant leap forward in our development process.”
“By combining our expertise, we aim to showcase the transformative potential of metal AM in the space industry,” said Filomeno Martina, CEO of WAAM3D. “This collaboration will not only revolutionize propellant tank manufacturing but also pave the way for future applications of AM in spacecraft development.”
