AM-produced launcher payload connector

Test Additive Manufacturing-produced alternatives of a connector used as part of a payload satellite adapter, manufactured by CATEC (Spain) for a study carried out through ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme by ESA's Materials Technology Section. While the operational version of the connector is produced in four parts, the various AM versions, redesigned by Airbus D&S and CATEC, can be printed in a single part, with significant mass savings and optimised topology. The part has been manufactured in aluminium silicon alloy.