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World's First Metal 3D Printer for Space Arrives at ISS for Testing

The European Space Agency and Airbus aim to demonstrate the viability of 3D printing in space, potentially paving the way for future lunar and Mars missions.

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Atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft blasts off from Cape Canaveral, bound for the ISS and carrying cargo that includes two space firsts

Overview

  • The European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus have sent the world's first metal 3D printer to the International Space Station (ISS) to test the viability of the technology in space.
  • The 180kg printer will be used to repair or manufacture tools, mounting interfaces, and mechanical parts, with the process lasting about 40 hours.
  • The printer will manufacture four metal samples that will be sent back to Earth for analysis, with the results compared to specimens produced by a ground-based model of the printer.
  • 3D printing in space could reduce reliance on supplies sent from Earth and is seen as key to extended exploration and life support in space.
  • If successful, the technology could be used for future missions to Mars and the Moon, potentially using transformed regolith (moondust) or recycled materials to build lunar bases.