Momentus to Flight Test 3D Printed Fuel Tank on Vigoride 7

Why It Matters

Validating a 3D‑printed fuel tank in orbit proves that additive manufacturing can meet aerospace reliability standards, potentially reducing spacecraft production costs and schedules across the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Momentus partners with Velo3D for metal 3D‑printed tank.
• Tank to fly on Vigoride‑7 orbital service vehicle.
• Additive manufacturing targets lower cost, shorter lead times.
• Enables complex internal geometries impossible with traditional methods.
• Supports commercial and government spacecraft fuel needs.

Pulse Analysis

Additive manufacturing has moved from prototyping to production in the aerospace sector, driven by the need for lighter structures and faster part turnover. Metal 3D‑printing eliminates many of the constraints of machining, allowing engineers to embed lattice supports, optimized flow channels, and weight‑saving cutouts directly into a single component. For spacecraft, where every gram and every day of schedule matter, this technology promises a paradigm shift. Momentus’s newly designed fuel tank exemplifies how the industry is leveraging these capabilities to create space‑qualified hardware that would be costly or impossible to fabricate using conventional methods.

The Vigoride‑7 Orbital Service Vehicle will be the first flight platform to carry Momentus’s additively manufactured tank, putting the part through the rigors of launch vibration, vacuum, and thermal cycling. Built with Velo3D’s integrated print preparation and quality‑assurance suite, the tank features internal geometries optimized for propellant management and structural integrity. By validating the component in orbit, Momentus demonstrates that metal‑printed parts can meet the stringent reliability standards required for both commercial satellite constellations and government missions, potentially unlocking new design freedoms for future payloads.

Successful validation could compress spacecraft development cycles from months to weeks and slash material costs that have traditionally driven fuel‑tank prices upward. The partnership signals to the broader market that additive manufacturing is ready for mission‑critical roles, encouraging other launch service providers and satellite manufacturers to explore similar supply‑chain transformations. As launch cadence accelerates and constellations expand, the ability to produce custom‑fit tanks on demand may become a competitive differentiator, positioning companies like Momentus at the forefront of the next generation of space logistics.