Ursa Major Partners with America Makes for Copper Additive Manufacturing in Hypersonic Flight

$5 Million Contract to Scale Aerospace Copper 3D Printing

Ursa Major has secured a $5 million contract from America Makes to refine its copper 3D printing process for hypersonic flight. The funding boosts Ursa Major’s efforts to scale production and develop flight-qualified rocket components. This partnership strengthens the aerospace and defense sectors by enhancing manufacturing precision and efficiency.

Advancing Copper Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Systems

Since 2021, Ursa Major and America Makes have advanced copper 3D printing. The company developed a process to print NASA’s GrCop-42 alloy, creating thrust chambers for the Hadley liquid rocket engine. The new investment aims to qualify the copper 3D printing process for full-scale production, supporting both the Hadley and Draper rocket engines for broader aerospace applications.

Scaling Production with Advanced 3D Printing Technology

To meet production needs, Ursa Major will install a Velo3D Sapphire XC Metal 3D printer. This upgrade enables the company to fulfill the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and National Center for Defence Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) production requirements. By implementing this advanced system, Ursa Major aims to solve key aerospace manufacturing challenges.

Establishing Leadership in Aerospace Manufacturing

The new contract marks a key milestone for Ursa Major, helping the company expand its role in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Additive manufacturing allows Ursa Major to produce high-performance components faster and with greater precision. The partnership with America Makes sets the stage for scaling production and meeting the increasing demand for advanced propulsion components.