Velo3D Teams Up With iRocket to Beef Up U.S. Aerospace & Defense Supply Chains

Velo3D, Inc., a provider of advanced metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology for mission-critical parts, reports an expanded partnership with Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. (iRocket), a next-generation aerospace company developing 100% reusable launch vehicles, and 3D printing will allow iRocket to iterate on the design with each recoverable launch.

In addition, iRocket's use of additive manufacturing in Solid Rocket Motor production to serve the interceptor market will help expand and reindustrialize the depilated defense base. The collaboration includes iRocket's acquisition of Velo3D's Sapphire printers and the adoption of Velo3D's Rapid Production Solutions (RPS).

This expanded partnership represents a milestone in strengthening U.S. supply chains by combining Velo3D's AM platform with iRocket's mission to deliver reusable rockets and solid rocket motors for interceptors. iRocket will Recondition, Reload, and Relaunch its vehicles in under 24 hours. iRocket is positioned to deliver critical parts with speed, precision, and repeatability via its collaboration with Velo3D.

"Working with iRocket exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in building resilient, U.S.-based manufacturing," says Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO, Velo3D.  "By integrating their Sapphire printers into our Rapid Production Solutions, iRocket can seamlessly transition from prototype to production, achieving the consistency and scalability required for flight-critical and defense hardware."

Founded in 2018, iRocket is developing the Shockwave 100% reusable launch vehicle designed for turnaround and reusability between missions. The company has secured contracts and collaborations with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory to advance propulsion and defense applications. 

"Velo3D's additive manufacturing technology gives us the freedom to design and produce propulsion system components and 3D print complex geometries that couldn't be built by traditional methods," says Asad Malik, CEO, iRocket. "By expanding our collaboration, we gain the speed, flexibility, and control needed to achieve our mission of delivering reusable, high-frequency launch capabilities for both commercial space and national defense customers."

Velo3D's Sapphire printer family is capable of producing large, complex geometries with minimal support structures, with application for propulsion, turbomachinery, and thermal management systems. Its integrated software and hardware platform—including Flow print software, Assure quality control, and Intelligent Fusion process control—ensures traceable production of aerospace-grade parts across machines and sites, according to Velo3D.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.