SPEE3D is an Australian Metal 3D printing company that, in partnership with Charles Darwin University, developed high-speed 3D metal printers that use a new 3D printing process, supersonic 3D deposition (SP3D) and proprietary algorithms.
The Modern Manufacturing Initiative have announced SPEE3D will receive $1.25 million in funding from the Federal Government's MMI 'Space' Translation Stream grant. An additional $312,000 in funding from the Northern Territory Government to ensure that SPEE3D's 'SPAC3D' (pronounced: "Spaced") project takes off.
Manufacturing space components is a billion-dollar industry set to experience strong growth in demand over the next five years. SPEE3D has already previously demonstrated the technology’s capability to produce rocket engine components having produced a 17.9kg Copper Rocket Nozzle Liner at a cost of less than $1,000 USD with their large-format WarpSPEE3D printer.
"SPEE3D has developed a new way to manufacture rocket engines quickly with our advanced manufacturing process. The MMI grant will allow us to work with other partners in Australia to manufacture and test flight ready engines for the emerging industrial space market". - SPEE3D's CTO, Steven Camilleri.
With their 'SPAC3D' project, SPEE3D will aim to pioneer the manufacturing of high-quality but inexpensive metal 3D printed rocket engines for space.
The next stage for SPEE3D's greenlit 'SPAC3D' project will be hot fire testing and validating the usefulness of additively manufactured rocket engines for commercial space vehicles.
SPEE3D has previously been a recipient of the Business Innovation Program which provides funding to Territory innovators to develop and commercialise their innovation. Applications are open for the Business Innovation Program.