Expanding Space Exploration with 3D Printing

Better Space Exploration through 3D Printing
The idea for this technology has been around for a while but the progress has been painstakingly slow. NASA has been developing and testing ways to send the printers into space, and print things while in zero gravity space. This would allow them to develop more things on the way to their destination, and save weight and space on launch.

3D Printing a Moon Base

As if the possibilities of 3D printing couldn’t have seemed more endless, new developing techniques by NASA are mind blowing. NASA has been working on 3D printing lunar bases with robots that could help develop colonies on the moon. NASA is developing a system of producing a ceramic-like material by microwaving lunar soil with solar energy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhdlnGswmcE

3D Printing on the ISS
Along with this NASA has also been developing 3D printing stations for astronauts to use in space. This technology has been adapted to work in a zero gravity environment. The interesting application of this is for astronauts to develop spare parts and other sorts of tools they may need but not have with them currently in space.

3D printing in space almost sounds silly, but it can fill a major need. Given that astronauts are always subjected to the hostile environment of space and that they are at any time thousands of miles away from a terrestrial base, when an important part or tool is needed, it is almost impossible to get. 3D printing, however, introduces new possibilities for fabricating important parts whenever (and wherever) they are needed.

3D Printing Aerospace Components in Metal

In the 3-SPACE lab at JMU, we print using ABS plastic. Many groups, including the European Space Agency are investigating printing in metal for durable, 3D-Printed parts and tools. A new initiative called AMAZE seeks to efficiently print metal objects in space with zero waste.

3D Printing Rocket Engines

In fact, metal 3D prints are already proving that they’re up to the task of aerospace grade durability. NASA is testing 3D prints of parts as complex as rocket engines, and they’re successfully firing. 3D printing specialty parts may one day become the most efficient method of building spacecraft.