Metal 3D-printed Ariane launcher bracket

This organically-styled bracket, designed for the interior of an Ariane launcher, was 3D printed in space-worthy titanium alloy for an R&D project.

One major advantage of 3D printing – otherwise known as additive manufacturing – is that material only needs to be placed where it is required. Embracing the design freedom this opens up can lead to the creation of parts with notably organic appearances compared to their traditionally manufactured counterparts.

At the same time their performance can be just as good, if not better, with sharp reductions in mass and manufacturing time. This bracket is a 30% lighter version of an operational original, serving to support fuel lines of Ariane’s upper stage.

It was not so much designed as grown, with the launcher's design requirements put through ‘topology optimisation’ software to arrive at the best possible shape.

This bracket was 3D printed using selective laser melting by ArianeGroup for ESA as part of the Agency’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.