February 21, 2021, Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) broke new ground in the national aerospace ecosystem. The design, analysis, production and qualification of satellite structural components have for the first time been conducted in Turkey with 3D printers based on Additive Manufacturing Technology.

TUSAŞ produces mission-critical space structural components with the Additive Manufacturing Method to develop three-dimensional components by melting metal, ceramic and polymer composites as layers, in contrast to machining.  With this new technology a 30% reduction in weight has been achieved with advanced structural optimization software in the developed components. The components are to be used in high-tech communication satellites, and the space qualification tests were successfully completed at the Space Systems Integration and Test Center (USET) within TUSAŞ.

At the Additive Manufacturing Technology Center established by TUSAŞ is envisaged to be a national center of excellence, where strategic large sized aviation and space components made up of titanium and aluminum alloys will be produced starting from the raw material stage. With this capability acquisition, the aim is to develop two different 3D printers indigenously and domestically and to acquire high technology production capabilities with the projects carried out in partnership with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the Production Technologies Center of Excellence (ÜRTEMM A.Ş.).