Pashto96
Pashto96 t1_jdce7kq wrote
Reply to comment by cjameshuff in The world's first 3d printed rocket is launching tonight!! by astrofilmsyt
So what? They should print everything they use?
Pashto96 t1_jcczdqg wrote
Reply to comment by phredbull in Virgin Orbit pauses operations for a week, furloughs nearly entire staff as it seeks funding by Realistic-Cap6526
Orbit launches satellites while Galactic is space tourism
Pashto96 t1_jdcsc4d wrote
Reply to comment by cjameshuff in The world's first 3d printed rocket is launching tonight!! by astrofilmsyt
It doesn't have to be the superior way to create everything. Rockets require virtually all custom parts. Custom parts require custom machining and don't get the benefits of economies of scale. Having one machine that can create all of those custom parts cuts out the requirement for custom machining and they don't need to change the machine if they make adjustments to the parts. Strongbacks on the other hand are relatively simple truss structures. You can use mass produced parts to build up the strongbacks fairly easily and inexpensively. There's really no reason why they couldn't print the strongbacks, but it doesn't really make sense to.