Astronauts recently made history by creating the first 3D object in orbit. The International Space Station has a 3D printer and the astronauts created its first three-dimensional object in orbit. The object was emblazoned with words “made-in-space” and “NASA”.
The impact of 3D-printing
Mike Snyder (director of research and development) adds, “Manufacturing components on demand will yield more efficient, more reliable and less Earth dependent space programs in the near future.”
3D printing has been one of the defining trends of 2014. Other notable achievements involving the technology include the first concert with 3D printed instruments. President Barack Obama was also the first U.S. president immortalized in 3D-print bust
Astronauts recently made history by creating the first 3D object in orbit. The International Space Station has a 3D printer and the astronauts created its first three-dimensional object in orbit. The object was emblazoned with words “made-in-space” and and “NASA”.
The reason behind NASA’s project
The primary purpose of this particular project is to produce fabrication technology in low-gravity environments. Such technologies will reduce the need for rockets and re-supply missions to carry hardware materials to outer space although scientists will still have to send all raw materials to space.
The strategy officer for Made in Space, Mike Chen, told scientists they would save a significant amount of money with fabrication technology. It could also produce a far more reliable and efficient space program for the future. 3-Printer’s Niki Werkheiser believes this is a truly historic moment as it would allow astronauts to print, email files in space, replace tools, and more. In mid-November, NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore fixed the printer and performed tests on it.
The 3D printer report is not the only exciting thing to happen with NASA as of late. The government program is scheduled to launch Orion space capsule on the first test flight on Thursday. This will be the first time a space ship designed to carry humans will launch into deep space in over four decades.
