3D Printing in Space

Featured image of ESA Now Testing a Prototype Microgravity 3D Printer
Beam Me Up
ESA Now Testing a Prototype Microgravity 3D Printer

The European Space Agency (ESA) is testing a 3D printer designed to work under microgravity and fabricate with engineering polymers featuring high end mechanical and thermal properties.

by Bulent Yusuf
Featured image of Made In Space Receives NASA’s “Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year” Award
Lift Off
Made In Space Receives NASA’s “Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year” Award

NASA’s Johnson Space Center this week awarded Made In Space, the space manufacturing company, with the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award for performing well on every NASA contract.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of 3D Print Your Own Tricorder from the TV Series “The Orville”
DIY Comscanner
3D Print Your Own Tricorder from the TV Series “The Orville”

A Reddit user 3D modeled and printed a replica Comscanner from Strar Trek based TV show The Orville without having anything to base his dimensions on other than screenshots from the show. 

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of NASA to Develop 3D Printable Tools for Research of Omics in Space
Experiments in Space
NASA to Develop 3D Printable Tools for Research of Omics in Space

NASA is launching the Omics in Space project, using 3D printing to develop tools to study omics aboard the ISS. These tools would allow astronauts to analyze biological samples and also assess how the space environment impacts their health. 

by Anne Freier
Featured image of Austiwawa 3D Prints and Launches CO₂-Powered Rockets with Onboard Camera
Major Tom to Ground Control
Austiwawa 3D Prints and Launches CO₂-Powered Rockets with Onboard Camera

A popular YouTuber named Austin used 3D printing to create rockets that launch with compressed CO2. He tried to modify the rockets to include an onboard camera, and his entire trial and error process was captured on video.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of Rocket Lab’s 3D Printed Rocket Successfully Deploys 3 Satellites into Orbit
We have lift-off!
Rocket Lab’s 3D Printed Rocket Successfully Deploys 3 Satellites into Orbit

Rocket Lab's electron rocket, with a 3D printed engine and composite components, successfully delivered satellites into orbit for its customers, Planet and Spire, on January 21st, 2018.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of SpaceX Research Vessel Returns to Earth
Space: the Final Manufacturing Facility.
SpaceX Research Vessel Returns to Earth

After a month's visit to the International Space Station, SpaceX's Dragon capsule has returned to Earth, bringing with it the results of several experiments, including an enhanced fiber optic cable, produced by a specialized 3D printer.

by Sean Rohringer
Featured image of Once Launched in Space, MakerSat-0 Will Collect Data on 3D Printing Materials
To Boldly Print Where No Filament Has Been Printed Before
Once Launched in Space, MakerSat-0 Will Collect Data on 3D Printing Materials

A launch this week will see a CubeSat, designed by students, reach space and collect data on how harsh conditions effect 3D printed materials.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of Recycling 3D Printed Plastic on International Space Station
Silent Running
Recycling 3D Printed Plastic on International Space Station

Now there's a 3D printer on the International Space Station, Made in Space and Braskem are exploring ways for recycling 3D printed plastic.

by Bulent Yusuf
Featured image of India Space Research Organisation Used 3D Printing to Develop Antenna Now in Outer Orbit
3D Printing in Space
India Space Research Organisation Used 3D Printing to Develop Antenna Now in Outer Orbit

India Space Research Organisation launched a 3D printed antenna into space and found the tech offers lighter parts in a quick period of time.

by Hanna Watkin
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Featured image of NASA’s Refabricator Will Turn Recycled Plastic Into New 3D Printed Components
Recycling in Space
NASA’s Refabricator Will Turn Recycled Plastic Into New 3D Printed Components

Next year, the International Space Station will receive the Refabricator, the first machine to mix recycling and 3D printing into one process.

by Tyler Koslow
Featured image of Astronauts Mix Recycled Urine with Yeast to Create 3D Printing Filament
Pee to Print
Astronauts Mix Recycled Urine with Yeast to Create 3D Printing Filament

Researchers are working on a way to turn human waste into different substances, including omega-3 fatty acids and plastics, by using yeast.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of Metal 3D Printing Used to Produce Waveguides For Telecom Satellites
Ground Control to Major Tom
Metal 3D Printing Used to Produce Waveguides For Telecom Satellites

The UK-based Airbus Defence and Space is developing metal 3D printed radio-frequency (RF) filter prototypes for telecom satellites. 

by Tyler Koslow
Featured image of Made In Space Completes 3D Printed Radiation Shield Project
Orbital Printing
Made In Space Completes 3D Printed Radiation Shield Project

Made In Space completes their latest project: 3D printing radiation shields and testing them on the International Space Station (ISS).

by Tyler Koslow
Featured image of NASA Livestream: Watch Astronauts Deploy 3D Printed Satellite
Live From Space
NASA Livestream: Watch Astronauts Deploy 3D Printed Satellite

Today at 10AM (EST), NASA will livestream a six-hour spacewalk where astronauts will deploy a 3D printed nanosatellite. 

by Tyler Koslow
Featured image of Made in Space Take a Giant Leap with New Archinaut System
Light Years Ahead
Made in Space Take a Giant Leap with New Archinaut System

Made in Space has developed and demonstrated a system called Archinaut which uses 3D printing and robotic arms to manufacture in space. 

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of New Plastic Allows Astronauts to 3D Print Spacewalk Tools
Space-tastic Plastics
New Plastic Allows Astronauts to 3D Print Spacewalk Tools

Made In Space is developing a tough plastic that will enable astronauts to create tools for use in the harsh conditions of space. 

by Tyler Koslow
Featured image of Enthusiast Uses 3D Printing to Develop Accurate SpaceX Models
Mini Blast Off
Enthusiast Uses 3D Printing to Develop Accurate SpaceX Models

SpaceX enthusiast, Oliver Braun, taught himself how to 3D print to develop a replica of the Falcon 9, receiving praise from SpaceX employees.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of Researchers Developing Self-Replicating 3D Printers to Build Moon Bases
Clone Alone
Researchers Developing Self-Replicating 3D Printers to Build Moon Bases

Researchers from Carleton University are on the cusp of 3D printing an electric motor from materials similar to those found on the moon.

by Hanna Watkin
Featured image of NASA is 3D Printing Radiation Shields for Expandable Habitats
Cosmic Rays
NASA is 3D Printing Radiation Shields for Expandable Habitats

NASA is 3D printing radiation shields on the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, an experimental habitat on the International Space Station.

by Bulent Yusuf
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