Space

Space is one of REM’s newest and fastest-growing industries.  REM is proud to have supported multiple lunar and Martian rover expeditions as well as NASA’s RAMPT (Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology).

Our recent and ongoing NASA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) awards have opened up a range of new markets in support of rocket propulsion applications as well as structural, specimen handling, and turbomachinery applications.  REM is currently supporting both NASA and multiple commercial-space rocket propulsion programs resulting in multiple successful hot-fire tests of metal additively manufactured components.  While REM’s recent rocket propulsion component processing work is heavily tied to additive manufacturing, specifically additively manufactured rocket nozzles, combustion chambers, combined thrust chamber assemblies, and the like, REM’s space activities go back well over a decade with structural and power transmission applications utilizing both our Extreme ISF® Process (for AM components) as well as our ISF® Process for precision machined components (example – ultra-fine pitch gears).

Some of the Potential Rocket Propulsion and Space ApplicationCopper Space Rocket Propulsiom Nozzles:

  • Nozzles
  • Combustion Chambers
  • Barrels
  • Thrust Chamber Assemblies
  • Cooling Channels
  • Fuel Injectors
  • Turbomachinery Components (Impeller, Blisks)
  • Structural Components (Brackets, Lattices, Honeycomb Structures)
  • Power Transmission Components
    • Precision, Fine Pitch Gears
    • Housings and Carriers

Some of the Many Benefits of REM’s ISF Technology for Rocket Propulsion and Space Applications:

  • Increased High Cycle Fatigue Life
  • Uniform Hot Wall Thickness Reduction for Improved Cooling Properties
  • Uniform Surface Roughness Reduction for Increased Cleanliness and Improved Coating/Overwrap Adhesion
  • Cooling Channel and Fuel Injector FOD (Foreign Object Debris) Removal (especially from Metal AM processes)
  • Cooling Channel and Fuel Injector Roughness Reduction for Reduced Flow Resistance/Pressure
  • Controllable Cooling Channel/Fuel Injector Diameter Increase (aiding Metal AM processes as a final forming step)
  • Removal of Detrimental or Undesirable Oxide Layer (from Heat Treatment or HIP—Hot Isostatic Pressing)
  • Elimination of Granular Roughness for Powder-Based Additive Manufacturing Processes
  • Improved Contact Fatigue Life for Power Transfer Components (example – gears)
  • Improve Flow Dynamics for Turbomachinery Applications (Reduced Turbulence from Surface Roughness)
  • Capable of Uniform Material Removal from Highly Complex Component Shapes including Generative/Bionic Design Applications, Lattices, and Honeycomb Structures
  • Capable of Ultra-Thin Wall Generation

REM’s ISF and Extreme ISF Process Technologies are available via outsourced processing at a REM facility or as technology installations at a customer’s site, providing flexible prototyping, scaling, and production options.

Whether you are working on novel AM Rocket Propulsion Components, Advanced Turbomachinery Applications, Space Vehicle or Sample Gathering Missions, Power Transmission/Actuation Systems, or other Space Applications, REM has the experience, technology, and pedigree to meet your needs.  Contact us today to learn more about REM’s technology and capabilities and to start a project.