In December 2014, NASA implemented the first phase of a project to demonstrate and test the viability of 3D printing in space. In the final test phase, completed the week of June 27, 2016, NASA re-installed the printer to “validate the process for printing on demand, which will be critical on longer journeys to Mars,” said Niki Werkheiser, the space station 3D printer program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
International Space Station Expedition 42 Astronaut Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore shows off 3D printed wrench in space.
Source: NASA.
The printer was designed by Made In Space, Inc, based out of Mountain View, California. The company had to figure out how to make a 3D Printer that could operate in zero gravity.
Testing 3D printing in space-like zero gravity environment.
Source: Made In Space, Inc.
The Zero-G 3D Printer uses ABS plastic with a filament diameter of 1.75 mm. Its dimensions are 9.5 inches wide, 14.5 inches deep, by 11.5 inches tall. It has a print volume of 5 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm.
Microgravity Science Glovebox with the Zero-G 3D Printer enclosed.
Source: Made In Space, Inc.
This project provides the first demonstration of additive manufacturing in space and allowed NASA to analyze how ABS plastic behaves in microgravity. The test results were positive, with NASA stating,
Earth based testing utilizing parabolic flights of the 3D Printing in Zero G hardware was able to yield parts similar to ground based units under varying conditions. The results of these tests ended with the selection of the Made in Space unit being selected as the hardware for the ISS investigation.
The 3D printing industry continues to innovate and these studies show the potential of additive manufacturing for possibly deep space missions in the future.
Made In Space, Inc, “plans to accelerate and broaden space development while also providing unprecedented access for people on Earth to use in-space capabilities.”
Here’s a video of some of the team at Made In Space, Inc, consisting of entrepreneurs, space experts, and 3D printing developers talking about the vision and challenges of designing hardware for 3D printing in space.
We are Made In Space
