The first step to autonomous space missions and further exploration of the universe.
The first-ever 3D printer powered by molten metal will be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) this week. This event opens a new chapter in the history of space exploration, giving astronauts the opportunity to produce metal parts and tools directly in orbit.
The Apollo 13 mission showed how important it is to be able to quickly find solutions in the extreme conditions of space. It was with this mission that the history of space "hackers" began, who had to invent ways to survive using improvised means. While the Apollo 13 mission has become a symbol of ingenuity, modern technologies such as 3D printing are opening up new horizons for space exploration.
The new 3D printer developed by the Airbus team is about the size of a washing machine and uses powerful lasers to melt metal alloys at temperatures above 1,200 degrees Celsius. This allows you to build objects layer by layer, which can be used to create spare parts or tools needed by astronauts in space.
Installation of the printer is planned at the Columbus laboratory on the ISS, where four test prints will be carried out. The resulting objects will then be compared with analogs made in the Earth's gravity to assess their strength and integrity. The experiment will show the safety of the process, despite high temperatures and the release of harmful gases.
This technology will significantly increase the autonomy of astronauts, allowing them to produce the necessary tools and parts on site. Although the printing process takes almost two days and the results may not be perfect, the development of technologies for orbital production opens up new prospects for further space exploration.
In the future, metal 3D printing can contribute to the creation of a "circular space economy" of the European Space Agency (ESA), in which materials from decommissioned satellites and rockets will be processed into new structures, tools and parts. In this way, future space "hackers" will be able to solve complex problems using cutting-edge technologies, complementing time-tested tools such as scotch tape with modern 3D printers.
The first-ever 3D printer powered by molten metal will be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) this week. This event opens a new chapter in the history of space exploration, giving astronauts the opportunity to produce metal parts and tools directly in orbit.
The Apollo 13 mission showed how important it is to be able to quickly find solutions in the extreme conditions of space. It was with this mission that the history of space "hackers" began, who had to invent ways to survive using improvised means. While the Apollo 13 mission has become a symbol of ingenuity, modern technologies such as 3D printing are opening up new horizons for space exploration.
The new 3D printer developed by the Airbus team is about the size of a washing machine and uses powerful lasers to melt metal alloys at temperatures above 1,200 degrees Celsius. This allows you to build objects layer by layer, which can be used to create spare parts or tools needed by astronauts in space.
Installation of the printer is planned at the Columbus laboratory on the ISS, where four test prints will be carried out. The resulting objects will then be compared with analogs made in the Earth's gravity to assess their strength and integrity. The experiment will show the safety of the process, despite high temperatures and the release of harmful gases.
This technology will significantly increase the autonomy of astronauts, allowing them to produce the necessary tools and parts on site. Although the printing process takes almost two days and the results may not be perfect, the development of technologies for orbital production opens up new prospects for further space exploration.
In the future, metal 3D printing can contribute to the creation of a "circular space economy" of the European Space Agency (ESA), in which materials from decommissioned satellites and rockets will be processed into new structures, tools and parts. In this way, future space "hackers" will be able to solve complex problems using cutting-edge technologies, complementing time-tested tools such as scotch tape with modern 3D printers.
