Space Systems Loral has developed an antenna tower using 3D printing technology for its SSL 1300 geostationary satellite platform.
Designed and built by SSL, the first antenna tower of its kind has already been installed on Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT’s JCSAT-110A satellite.
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Launched in December last year, the satellite has completed in-orbit testing and is currently performing according to plan.
The strut-truss antenna tower used on the JCSAT-110A satellite features 37 printed titanium nodes and more than 80 graphite struts.
Currently, SSL is using the strut-truss methodology to design and manufacture 13 additional antenna tower structures, facilitating the development of hundreds of 3D printed titanium structural components annually.
Space Systems Loral product strategy and development chief technology officer and vice-president Dr Matteo Genna said: “SSL is an innovative company that continues to evolve its highly reliable satellite platform with advanced technologies.
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By GlobalData“Our advanced antenna tower structures enable us to build high-performance satellites that would not be possible without tools such as 3D printing.”
The company also noted that the use of 3D printing technology has enabled it to produce structures for large and complex components around 50% lighter than previously.
When compared to conventionally manufactured structural assemblies, 3D printed assemblies offer greater savings for manufacturers.
Last month, the company provided a two-axis gimbal mechanism for Nasa’s Raven flight demonstration, which was delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on the latest cargo resupply mission to the orbiting station.
Image: SSL’s 3D printed strut tower structure. Photo: courtesy of SSL.
