ESA scientists have successfully demonstrated 3D printing of a metal part in space for the first time.
3D printing in space poses challenges as many methods rely on gravity to position materials during the printing process. This is because when creating metal structures, molten metal is often used as part of the filament or printable medium. spaceIts behavior can be unpredictable, which can lead to poor quality objects, as the filament may shift or be positioned incorrectly due to the lack of gravitational forces.
Therefore, scientists had to adapt to work in these difficult conditions, and International Space Station provided the perfect environment. ESA’s metal 3D printer uses stainless steel wire melted by a powerful laser reaching 1200°C to create its molten metal filament which is deposited layer by layer to build up the desired shape.
Through painstaking testing over several months, the team was finally able to fine-tune the printer to its microgravity environment, producing the first metal piece in space in August 2024. The team plans to print two more objects, then all three will be brought back to Land for quality analysis and future planning.
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“By printing the first 3D metal shape in space, ESA’s exploration teams have reached an important milestone in establishing in-orbit manufacturing capabilities. Made possible by an international, multidisciplinary team, this achievement paves the way for long-distance, long-duration missions where creating on-demand spare parts, building components and tools will be essential,” said Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, in a statement.
This revolutionary technology continues to expand its applications on Earth, revolutionizing fields such as medicine, fashion, art, construction, food production and manufacturing. In space, as long-duration missions are carried out to The moon and potentially Mars As space technology takes shape, astronauts will need a means to independently repair or create tools or parts for machinery or structures that would be difficult to transport aboard a spacecraft with limited capacity.
As technology advances, it may one day allow for the printing of new tissues or organs, improving the ability to sustain long-term space exploration, although this is still decades away from being feasible.
3D printers in space are nothing new, as microgravity offers an interesting environment for scientists to conduct experiments, develop better 3D printing materials, or create structures that are difficult to make on Earth. What is significant about ESA's recent announcement, however, is that it is the first time a 3D printer has successfully produced a metal part.
This capability represents an important milestone since, until then, metal components for space missions had to be produced on Earth and transported to orbit, a costly and complex part of any mission.