NASA 3D printer •

Science takes a considerable leap forward as 3D printing may have just been made possible off the face of the Earth with the most recent experiment performed by NASA, in cooperation with the 3D printer developing company Made in Space.

Back when 3D printing was first invented, it was a scientific awe and opened a multitude of paths towards industrial development. Later on, what was once a theme found in science fiction only, can now be acquired for even less than $1.000 and put to personal use in anyone’s household.

The greatest issue with space travel is known to be the limited amount of resources and necessary materials. If a space station or shuttle lacks replacement parts, the only choice until now has been sending them up via a rocket – a very time consuming and money wasting mission. The revelation of putting 3D printing to use when off-land may very well be the answer that will make way for longer and safer expeditions in our solar system.

All the concerns previously expressed may come to a stop with the encouraging news we received from the International Space Station (ISS). A modified, high-end Made in Space 3D printer has been recently delivered to the space station and successfully printed out its first experiment – a part for the printer itself. While the whole 3D printing process is a bit of a wonder when done on Earth, repeating it in a zero-gravity scenario is particularly tricky. There are numerous factors to take into account when we’re talking 3D printing on a space station, far away from the safety of gravity: the amount and way the construction material is released, how to deal with the fumes created in the process or how to control the layering when there’s no gravitational force on your side.

The resulting casing following the experiment presents adequate properties but a series of tests and analysis will be performed in the near future, after the 3D printer on the ISS will be transported back to Earth. Several more items are planned to be printed on the space station, then – using the same printing device – remade on Earth to compare strength, flexibility and resistance between the different versions. The information acquired this way will surely help scientists understand the nature of modifications needed to perfect the technique in outer space and thus providing new possibilities for space travel and humanity’s future in space alike.

NASA is ready with its next ambitious mission and this time the space agency is preparing to launch a 3D printer into space.

The 3D printer, which is likely to be launched next year, can be a toaster-sized game changer that aims at reducing the need for astronauts to load up with every tool, spare part or supply they might ever need.

For the first 3D printer in space test slated for fall 2014, NASA had more than a dozen machines to choose from, ranging from USD 300 desktop models to USD 500,000 warehouse builders.

According to the scientists, the printers would serve as a flying factory of infinite designs which will create objects by extruding layer upon layer of plastic from long strands coiled around large spools. Doctors use them to make replacement joints and artists use them to build exquisite jewelry.

Presently, the NASA engineers are 3D printing small satellites that could shoot out of the Space Station and transmit data to earth, as well as replacement parts and rocket pieces that can survive extreme temperatures.

Sharing his excitement, inventor Andrew Filo, who is consulting with NASA on the project, said, “Any time we realize we can 3D print something in space, it’s like Christmas. You can get rid of concepts like rationing, scarce or irreplaceable.”

“If you want to be adaptable, you have to be able to design and manufacture on the fly, and that’s where 3D printing in space comes in,” said Dave Korsmeyer, director of engineering at NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, about 55 kilometres south of San Francisco.

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