Freeform Wins DIU Contract to 3D Print Space Hardware on Demand

Freeform Future Corp. has won an Other Transaction agreement from the Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) to take part in the Adaptive Space Manufacturing and Integration at Scale Project, or 10n. The goal is to remove the supply chain bottlenecks that slow down U.S. space launches by producing flight-qualified hardware on demand.

From Prototype to Production at Operational Speed

The legacy space supply chain was built for low-volume, bespoke parts with long lead times. That model no longer fits an era of proliferated satellite constellations and heavy-lift rockets launching every week. Freeform will deploy its AI-native Skyfall platform to manufacture propulsion and structural components, with an target of hundreds of units per month scaling to thousands per year.

The system combines GPU-accelerated physics modeling, metal additive manufacturing, and real-time process control. Every part generates data that feeds back into the platform, so quality control happens continuously rather than at the end of a batch. Freeform calls this Physical AI: a factory that learns from each build.

Why DIU Chose Freeform

Erik Palitsch, Freeform founder and CEO, put it plainly: the country needs production that moves at operational speed, and Freeform built its systems specifically for that. The company already runs continuous production for defense and space programs, with a customer list that includes names from SpaceX, Tesla, and Intel. Backers include NVIDIA's NVentures, Founders Fund, and Threshold Ventures. Freeform was also named to Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies list in 2026.

What 10n Means for the Industry

This contract is a signal that the U.S. government wants domestic, software-defined manufacturing for critical space parts, not just more inventory stockpiled in warehouses. If Freeform can demonstrate on-demand production rates at scale, the model could spread to other defense and aerospace programs. The alternative is waiting months for a machined bracket or a printed engine nozzle while a launch window slips.

The partnership will run through a Design-Build-Test and Validate/Qualify cycle, pushing the space manufacturing readiness level forward with each iteration. For Freeform, it is a chance to prove that AI-driven metal 3D printing can deliver mission-critical parts in weeks, not quarters.