3D printed parts on Orion are helping NASA build lighter, stronger and more efficient hardware for the Artemis 2 mission. Additive manufacturing supports the spacecraft with components that are easier to produce, simpler to assemble and better suited to the extreme conditions of deep space.

What are Artemis 2 and Orion?

Artemis 2 is NASA’s first crewed mission of the Artemis programme, designed to send astronauts around the Moon and back in Orion, NASA’s deep-space crew spacecraft. The mission will test Orion’s life-support systems, navigation and overall performance before future flights attempt a lunar landing. It will also achieve several important firsts, including carrying humans farther from Earth than any previous spacecraft mission and marking the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System and Orion together.

How 3D printing is used on Orion

The Orion spacecraft uses 3D printed parts in several areas, including structural brackets, ducting, hatch components, seat-related parts and thruster hardware. These components help reduce complexity and improve design efficiency, while also keeping weight as low as possible. In spacecraft engineering, even small reductions in mass can make a major difference.

3D printing also gives engineers more freedom to create parts with shapes that would be difficult or costly to produce using traditional methods. That can lead to fewer separate pieces, fewer joints and fewer opportunities for failure.

Materials used for 3D printed space parts

The materials used for 3D printed parts on Orion must withstand vibration, heat and the harsh conditions of launch and deep space. NASA and its partners typically use metals such as titanium and aluminium alloys, along with engineering-grade polymers and composites for selected parts.

These materials are chosen because they combine strength with low weight. They also need to remain reliable under pressure, which is essential for crew safety and mission performance.

Benefits of additive manufacturing

There are several advantages to using additive manufacturing on Orion. It can reduce the number of parts in an assembly, lower the need for welds and fasteners, and shorten production time. It can also support faster iteration during design and testing.

For NASA, these benefits help improve efficiency without compromising safety. For a mission as complex as Artemis 2, that is a major advantage.

Artemis 2 mission firsts

Artemis 2 will be a landmark mission for human spaceflight. It will be the first crewed mission in the Artemis programme, the first time astronauts travel to the Moon’s vicinity aboard Orion, and the first human flight of this deep-space system.

The mission will also take astronauts farther from Earth than any previous crewed mission, making it one of the most significant exploration flights in decades. It is a crucial step towards future missions that will eventually land humans on the Moon again.

Why it matters

3D printed parts on Orion are a small but important part of a much larger story. They show how modern manufacturing is helping NASA prepare for deep-space exploration while improving efficiency, precision and reliability.

As Artemis 2 moves closer to launch, Orion and its 3D printed components will help prove that the spacecraft is ready for the next era of human spaceflight.

For more information on the Artemis 2 mission click here to go to the NASA website.

The success of 3D printed parts on Orion demonstrates the transformative power of additive manufacturing for even the most demanding applications. Unlock your business’s potential with additive manufacturing. Partner with Harle Tech to bring 3D printing innovation to your operations today.