New R&D centre in Ohio to accelerate propulsion technology
1st Aug 2024 | In News | By Michael Tyrrell
US rocket propulsion company, Ursa Major, is establishing a new research and development centre in Ohio to advance additive manufacturing and materials development technology for liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors.
The centre in Youngstown represents a capital investment of $14.5m, which includes $4m in assistance in the form of a JobsOhio R&D Grant. Ursa Major worked closely with JobsOhio Network partner Team NEO to secure funding for the expansion, which will be in the new Lake to River region.
The R&D centre marks an expansion in Ohio, where Ursa Major already 3D prints hardware for propulsion systems. In the coming years, the company says it will expand its workforce from three to eighteen people.
Liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors power high-performance munitions, hypersonic weapons, in-space propulsion systems, and space launch. Ursa Major is expanding its R&D efforts to meet a rapidly growing portfolio of U.S. Department of Defense development contracts.
"The new R&D centre in Youngstown takes advantage of Ohio's manufacturing heritage and uniquely skilled workforce to advance manufacturing in service to our national security," said Ursa Major CEO Joe Laurienti. "Raw material access, supply chain, and a vibrant additive manufacturing ecosystem as a result of the America Makes program make Youngstown an ideal home for this centre."
"Ursa Major's R&D centre plans in the Mahoning Valley represent Ohio's strong aerospace and manufacturing legacy and how this state is driving the future of how things are made in America and worldwide," said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. "Innovation from Mahoning County is rapidly advancing additive manufacturing technology, and Ursa Major's investment is an example of how that attracts extraordinary companies."
The new centre will accelerate new material development and qualification processes for aerospace applications of additive manufacturing. This includes developing metallic alloys for solid rocket motors and development of copper and nickel alloys for liquid rocket engines.
The centre will be home to multiple Laser Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printers, which are state-of-the-art machines that enable unparalleled speed for rapid prototyping and material development.
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