How Requirements Interpretation and Tailoring Can Drive am Qualification for Space

Conference Abstract: Spaceflight hardware offers a unique application area for additive manufacturing (AM) to reduce weight, improve performance, and streamline the supply chain. Space can also represent a challenging environment in terms of requirements – with limited ability to repair or service and a focus on reliability. These requirements drive the approach to qualification of AM materials and processes and can result in significant variation in cost and time to establish a qualified capability. It is important for companies looking to implement AM technology to match their approach to program risk posture. In recent years, industry documents and standards have been developed that help establish common requirements, including NASA-STD-6030 and MMPDS Volume II. However, interpretation and tailoring of those documents is required and the scope of the qualification is highly sensitive to decisions made at relatively low levels. This presentation will cover a proposed framework to qualification of AM spaceflight hardware, leveraging industry references and highlighting details that drive development time and cost of qualification. Specific areas of focus will include material property allowables generation, non-destructive testing, material and process specifications, and program and part criticality.