Quick Summary
• With AMAA: Aerospace, Space & Defense returning to place mission-critical additive manufacturing applications under the spotlight, our pre-event series returns to focus on speakers from across the sector examining where 3D printing is moving from design freedom into functional hardware. Among them is Ryan Watkins, a Research Engineer specializing in mechanics at NASA Jet Propulsion…
Additional Context
With AMAA: Aerospace, Space & Defense returning to place mission-critical additive manufacturing applications under the spotlight, our pre-event series returns to focus on speakers from across the sector examining where 3D printing is moving from design freedom into functional hardware.
Among them is Ryan Watkins, a Research Engineer specializing in mechanics at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who detailed how 3D printed titanium lattice structures are being used in the baseline design for Mars Sample Return impact protection. His presentation focused on how lattice structures can be engineered as force-limiting crushables, protecting Martian sample tubes during a hard-impact Earth landing without parachutes or powered descent.
NASA JPL’s Ryan Watkins at the 2025 AMUG Conference. Photo b