L3Harris Delivers First Additively Manufactured Copper Thrust Chamber for RL10 Rocket Engine to ULA

Revolutionizing Rocket Engine Production with Additive Manufacturing
L3Harris Technologies, based in Melbourne, Florida, has successfully delivered its first RL10 engine equipped with an additively manufactured copper thrust chamber to United Launch Alliance (ULA). This milestone marks a significant advancement in rocket engine manufacturing, showcasing how 3D printing can optimize the design and production process of high-performance aerospace components.

RL10E-1: A Leap Forward in Engine Design and Production Efficiency
The latest iteration of the RL10 engine, the RL10E-1, features a copper thrust chamber built using Additive Manufacturing (AM). This innovation reduces the number of parts in the thrust chamber by an impressive 98%. The streamlined design not only lowers manufacturing complexity but also helps in significantly reducing production costs and lead times. The RL10E-1 engine is scheduled to fly aboard ULA’s Vulcan rocket in 2025, further enhancing its reputation as a reliable and high-performance upper-stage engine for satellite and spacecraft missions.

Kristin Houston, President of Space Propulsion and Power Systems at Aerojet Rocketdyne (a division of L3Harris), stated, “Incorporating 3D printing enables us to build an engine that maintains the performance and reliability our customers have come to expect, while significantly reducing cost and lead time to meet the demands of today’s marketplace.” The RL10E-1 engine continues to build on the RL10’s long history of propelling spacecraft to both Earth’s orbit and interplanetary destinations.

Future of RL10E-1 in ULA’s Vulcan Rocket Program
This delivery marks just the beginning of a larger agreement between L3Harris and ULA. The contract stipulates that L3Harris will deliver 116 RL10E-1 engines to ULA. These engines, which will provide a combined thrust of approximately 48,000 pounds per stage, will power the Vulcan rocket’s upper stage. The RL10E-1’s multiple restart capability makes it an ideal choice for placing spacecraft into precise orbits or sending them on interplanetary journeys.