Lockheed Martin Space
Applies additive manufacturing to produce flight-critical space components, including large titanium propellant tanks via electron beam AM and polymer parts via FDM, reducing lead times and costs for satellites and spacecraft.
- CEO / Founder
- Robert Lightfoot
- Team Size
- 5001-10000
- Stage
- Subsidiary
Technology & Products
Key Products
Titanium propellant tanks for satellites (EBAM); Satellite structural components (brackets, supports); Polymer parts for spacecraft via FDM; Full satellite systems and interplanetary spacecraft
Technological Advantage
Leverages in-house AM with certified quality systems (UL recognition) and vendor partnerships to produce mission-critical space hardware with reduced lead times and cost, protected by access to proprietary process qualification data.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces spacecraft component lead times and program costs through in-house AM, offering faster mission schedules and lower cost for government and commercial customers.
How They Differentiate
Lockheed Martin Space's first-of-its-kind UL-certified AM facility provides a quality-assurance edge for flight hardware, and its use of Sciaky EBAM for large titanium tanks (vs. competitor reliance on powder bed fusion) enables larger, faster production of critical pressure vessels.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
NASA, U.S. Department of Defense, commercial satellite operators
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Defense; Space
Competitors
Boeing Space; Northrop Grumman Space Systems; Airbus Defence and Space
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Lockheed Martin Space employs 23,000+ people globally; operates the world's first UL-certified additive manufacturing facility; AM has been used to produce titanium propellant tanks with reduced lead time and cost (Sciaky case study).
Major Milestones
1956: Space Systems heritage began; 2006: Celebrated 50th anniversary of Space Systems; 2010s: First UL-certified additive manufacturing facility worldwide; 2010s: Produced titanium propellant tanks for satellites using Sciaky EBAM
Notable Customers
NASA; U.S. Department of Defense; U.S. Space Force; National Reconnaissance Office