iRocket Partners with Velo3D to Advance Reusable Launch Vehicles and Strengthen U.S. Defence Manufacturing through Additive Manufacturing!

In a major step toward the future of space transportation and national defence manufacturing, Velo3D, Inc., based in Fremont, California, has announced an expanded partnership with Innovative Rocket Technologies (iRocket), an aerospace company pioneering fully reusable launch vehicles. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in applying Additive Manufacturing (AM) to high-performance aerospace and defence hardware.

As part of the partnership, iRocket will acquire Velo3D’s Sapphire Additive Manufacturing systems and adopt its Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) platform. This integration will enable iRocket to accelerate the development and production of its propulsion systems and critical components for both commercial and military use.

Using Velo3D’s advanced AM technology, iRocket aims to revolutionize its “Recondition, Reload, and Relaunch” concept — allowing rockets to be turned around and relaunched in under twenty-four hours, similar to the quick maintenance cycles of modern aircraft. By leveraging the precision and repeatability of Velo3D’s metal 3D printing solutions, the company can refine its designs after each recoverable launch, driving continuous innovation and cost efficiency.

“Working with iRocket exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in building resilient, US-based manufacturing,” said Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “By integrating our Sapphire printers with Rapid Production Solutions, iRocket can seamlessly transition from prototype to production, achieving the scalability and reliability essential for flight-critical and defence applications.”

Founded in 2018, iRocket is developing Shockwave, a 100% reusable launch vehicle engineered for high-frequency missions and minimal refurbishment between flights. The company has already established collaborations with the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory, focusing on advanced propulsion and defence technologies. In July 2025, iRocket investor and billionaire industrialist Wilbur L. Ross announced plans to take the company public on NASDAQ via a $400 million SPAC merger with BPGC Acquisition Corp., highlighting investor confidence in its vision.

“Velo3D’s additive manufacturing technology gives us the freedom to design and produce propulsion system components and complex geometries that traditional methods can’t achieve,” stated Asad Malik, CEO of iRocket. “Expanding our collaboration with Velo3D provides us with the speed, flexibility, and control necessary to deliver reusable, high-frequency launch capabilities for both commercial space and national defence customers.”

Beyond space applications, the partnership is expected to have far-reaching implications for the U.S. defence industrial base. The companies anticipate that additive manufacturing will play a crucial role in reindustrialising Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production, enhancing domestic manufacturing resilience and technological self-reliance.

By merging Velo3D’s precision metal AM expertise with iRocket’s innovative reusable launch systems, this collaboration represents a forward-looking model for how digital manufacturing can reshape aerospace production, reduce costs, and reinforce national security.