Categories: Technology

NASA To Use 3D Printer To Print Objects In Space

You know something is going to change the world when it’s picked up by NASA as a solution to one of their greatest problems. Believe it or not, NASA is looking into using 3D printing so they won’t have to bring delicate, sensitive instruments and building blocks into space. The transportation cost for bring those things is simply too high. Instead, NASA wants to create those objects in space. It’s a huge step for human exploration, and it’s going to take 3D printing to a whole new level.

NASA is in full gear working with Tethers Unlimited, which is a company that currently specializes in space 3D printing technologies. Together they are developing a system called SpiderFab, a robotic 3D printing and assembly system, which NASA will use to print and assemble tools and objects in space. With a system like this, NASA would save millions in transportation costs. The system could also be used when populating Mars, which is something that NASA is heavily planning at the moment.

There is currently a race going on to put the first human on Mars, and NASA isn’t exactly in the forefront of this race at the current time. But this robotic 3D printing system could very well leapfrog them into the lead if they are able to prove that printing objects in space is more cost efficient and reliable than actually rocketing the same objects into space.

NASA recently awarded Tethers Unlimited an additional $500,000 to continue the development of technologies that will allow NASA to create objects in space. The SpiderFab adapts additive manufacturing techniques to enable space systems to fabricate and integrate large components automatically. So far, the goal is to manufacture objects such as antennas, solar arrays, sensor masts, and shrouds. If this project is successful, we’re looking at a whole new era which will take us further into space and allow us to explore regions we’ve only dreamed about visiting in our lifetime.

SpiderFab – Automatic 3D Printing Of Objects In Space

(Click Images To Enlarge)

Via: [psfk]

Richard Darell

Richard Darell is the founder and CEO of Bit Rebels, a multifaceted online news outlet that reports daily on the latest developments in technology, social media, design and everything geek. Today this media entity welcomes more than 3.5 million unique visitors per month and is considered the go-to place for people in constant motion. As an Internet entrepreneur, he is dedicated to constantly trying to develop new ways to bring content faster and closer to the end user in a more streamlined way. His excitement for statistics has allowed him to further develop systems that continuously produce accurate and fast-paced analytics to better optimize the approach by which Bit Rebels presents news and content. His graphic design background has proven to be an important tool when designing new systems and features for Bit Rebels since the development of solid and stable code depends entirely on their structure and implemented procedures. Richard currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden and directs the Bit Rebels offices in both Stockholm and Atlanta. You can reach Richard at richard@bitrebels.com