Quick Summary
• US-based space systems company Rocket Lab has completed production of its 1,000th Rutherford engine at its Long Beach, California facility, a milestone that reflects the maturation of additive manufacturing as a viable industrial process in orbital spaceflight. The Rutherford is the world’s first 3D printed, electric pump-fed orbital rocket engine, and its production volume now…
Additional Context
US-based space systems company Rocket Lab has completed production of its 1,000th Rutherford engine at its Long Beach, California facility, a milestone that reflects the maturation of additive manufacturing as a viable industrial process in orbital spaceflight. The Rutherford is the world’s first 3D printed, electric pump-fed orbital rocket engine, and its production volume now places it among the most manufactured rocket engines on Earth.
“The 1,000th Rutherford engine has rolled off the production line, The world’s first 3D printed, battery-powered rocket engine is now one of the most manufactured rocket engines on Earth,“ stated the company on LinkedIn.
Rocket Lab’s team. Photo via Rocket Lab.
One Engine, Built Differently From the Start
Rutherford’s development traces back to 2013,