Boeing wants to make modular satellites with fewer employees via 3D printers

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing says it will use a new production process with 3D printers to build satellites. That writes The Wall Street Journal. According to Boeing, this will require fewer employees and significantly reduce production costs.

Boeing’s leader of satellite construction, Paul Rusnock, said his company can no longer continue with the old manufacturing process in order to remain competitive. Boeing builds large, high-quality satellites, often worth 150 million dollars each. With the introduction of 3D printers, the company hopes to reduce these costs. That writes Engadget.

The aircraft manufacturer is already using the 3D printers and the new production process in a factory in Los Angeles. At other production locations, the production process has yet to be put into operation. According to Rusnock, it will not be possible to manufacture more satellites with the 3D printers, because the company is working on even larger satellites.

The downside of modular satellites is the fact that they typically last about eight years. Satellites that are still assembled by hand usually have a lifespan of fifteen years. Boeing’s business customers have indicated that they increasingly want to launch new satellites with new technologies. With the new, 3D-printed, modular satellites, Boeing is responding to this wish.

This is not the first time that Boeing has used 3D printers to build high-quality space objects. For example, it was previously announced that Boeing will receive about 600 parts made with a 3D printer for the space taxi Starliner, a manned space project that will eventually bring astronauts to the ISS. These parts result in significant weight savings.