Apr. 8, 2015 | By Simon
Ever since they announced that they had launched a 3D printer into space in late 2014, NASA (and subsequently, the Zero-G 3D printer manufacturer Made in Space, Inc.) have been enjoying sharing their findings with the public ranging from when they first launched the 3D printer to when they emailed an STL file from earth to the International Space Station to be 3D printed...effectively setting the course for the future of Design for Space Manufacturing.
This week, nearly six months since they first launched the 3D printer into orbit, engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama are unboxing the first items that were manufactured in space as a part of the Zero-G Technology Demonstration that used the Made in Space 3D printer.
Although the 14 objects - which range from replacement parts for equipment to usable tools - are arguably simple to print on any earthbound 3D printer, the tests were completed in order to test the material properties of the objects to ensure that the use of additive manufacturing in space is actually a viable option for creating things such replacements parts and tools on a more regular basis.
For example, when the infamous ratchet wrench was sent from the (earthbound) Made in Space HQ to International Space Station Expedition 42 Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore while in orbit, it not only showed off the capabilities of being able to wirelessly send physical objects, but it also shows how the technology may be able to both help in emergency situations or even require less of a load for future launches where packing supplies takes up valuable weight on the spacecraft for long-duration flights... such as a Mars or asteroid expedition.
In addition to printing the first object that was emailed from Earth to orbit, NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore was also the one who installed the history-making 3D printer in the Space Station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox in November of 2014.
Similar to existing FDM 3D printers on Earth, the printer worked by feeding low-temperature plastic filament into a heated nozzle that was operated via paths according to a 3D file layer-by-layer. Although the prints have since come back to Earth for testing, the printer will remain aboard the Space Station for continued use throughout the rest of the year.
Now that the Engineers on Earth have the printed objects, they will be testing them under a microscope against an identical set of parts that were printed on Earth in order to test for any differences. Among other tests that will be conducted on the two sets of objects will be durability, strength and structural tests.
Regardless of the test results - although from first-glance they appear to be just fine - the fact that astronauts are now manufacturing their own products in space is still nothing short of amazing.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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"infamous ratchet wrench" Infamous?
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