I have to admit, 3D Printing is a super cool technology with a multitude of applications of all sorts from biomedical to industrial uses. A new application that I had never considered for 3D printing was rocket engines. Vector Space Systems has successfully tested a rocket engine that used 3D printed components. That to me is quite a feat and a brilliant use of the technology.
The obvious advantage here is cost reduction and product availability, which ultimately will reduce the cost of payloads reaching low earth orbit. Currently Vector Space Systems plans to launch cube satellites, or cubesats, into low earth orbit and has recently secured a deal to deploy a constellation of cubesats for a Finnish company named Iceye. Full payload launch is planned for 2018.
Jim Cantrell, CEO of Vector Space Systems said as quoted in this article: http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160808-vector-space-systems-tests-3d-printed-low-cost-mini-rocket-that-can-carry-50kg-loads-into-space.html
The Vector propulsion team has made tremendous progress in a very rapid manner, building and successfully testing an engine using 3D printed components within two months of the company's founding. The rapidity and success of this test sets the standard for the swift development of our launch vehicle and furthers our mission to revolutionize the way commerce accesses and utilizes space.
But how does this relate to the blockchain?
Jim Cantrell is the father of Nexus Lead Developer, Colin Cantrell. Like father like son, Colin is also an innovator. Colin’s sector of innovation is the blockchain. So when the two of them discussed each other’s projects, they saw the ability to work together.
Jim spoke with the other Executives at Vector and they agreed to have one of the use cases for Vector cubsats be to broadcast the Nexus and Bitcoin blockchain and serve as nodes.
This means that the limits of earthen cables strung across the Oceans will not be a limiting factor for these blockchains. This will increase the inherent freedom of blockchains as well as helping to reach the unbanked. We should all rejoice at the marvels of 3D printing and its ability to advance other technologies such as aerospace and rocket science.
I’ll admit, I have been tempted to buy one of the low cost 3D printers to play around with, but could never come up with a use quite so innovative. The future many of us have imagined since we were children is happening now!
You can read more about Vector Space Systems here: http://spacenews.com/vector-space-systems-plans-2018-first-flight-of-small-launch-vehicle/
You can read more about Nexus here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=657601.0