Velo3D, a leader in additive manufacturing (AM) technology known for transforming aerospace and defense supply chains through world-class metal AM, announced a strategic partnership with Vaya Space, a breakthrough hybrid rocket company focused on space propulsion systems. The two companies have signed a $4 million, two-year Master Services Agreement (MSA) to collaborate on production and innovation efforts in high-performance additive manufacturing.
Vaya Space selected Velo3D as a key strategic partner in its propulsion development roadmap. Under the agreement, Vaya Space will leverage Velo3D’s Rapid Production Solution (RPS) to accelerate production of critical propulsion system components and meet key development timelines. Utilizing Velo3D’s Sapphire XC and XC1MZ printers, Vaya Space will print parts in both GRCop42—a NASA-developed copper alloy for high-heat transfer—and Inconel 718, a superalloy known for strength and thermal resilience in aerospace applications. Vaya currently uses the Sapphire platform to produce the world’s first expander cycle hybrid rocket engine.
As part of the partnership, Velo3D will serve as Vaya Space‘s exclusive provider of GRCop42 additive components, delivering guaranteed capacity, advanced engineering support, and Flow™ software training to streamline design-to-production cycles for propulsion assemblies including nozzles, injectors, and turbopumps through 2027. The two companies will work collaboratively to produce high-quality engine components for aerospace and defense applications faster and at a lower cost than traditionally achievable.
Also Read: BigBear.ai Joins Forces with Analogic to Transform Airport Threat Detection
“This partnership is a powerful example of how our Rapid Production Solution helps scale complex hardware manufacturing for today’s most ambitious aerospace companies,” said Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “By combining our capabilities in GRCop42 and Inconel 718 with deep engineering collaboration, we’re helping Vaya Space achieve faster, more cost-effective production-right here in the United States.”
“Additive manufacturing plays a central role in our ability to reduce design complexity, increase performance, and scale production,” said Aaron Blankenship, Vice President of Operations at Vaya Space. “Velo3D offers the production readiness, material capabilities, and deep technical partnership we need to bring our vision to life and deliver flight-ready engines on schedule.”
SOURCE: PRNewswire