{"id":606979,"date":"2024-02-01T17:09:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T14:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/esa-sends-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-for-space-to-iss\/"},"modified":"2024-02-01T17:09:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T14:09:30","slug":"esa-sends-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-for-space-to-iss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/esa-sends-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-for-space-to-iss\/","title":{"rendered":"#ESA sends world\u2019s first metal 3D printer for space to ISS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aeef4f4df25d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aeef4f4df25d\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/esa-sends-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-for-space-to-iss\/#In-space_manufacturing_the_new_frontier\" >In-space manufacturing: the new frontier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/esa-sends-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-for-space-to-iss\/#The_metal_age_of_space\" >The metal age of space<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            The world\u2019s first metal 3D printer for space is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be installed in ESA\u2019s Columbus module. Its mission is to demonstrate the validity of the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> in orbit and pave the way for future use on Mars and the Moon.<\/p>\n<p>Developed by Airbus, the 180kg printer will be used to repair or manufacture tools, mounting interfaces, and mechanical parts. It can print parts with a volume of nine centimetres high and five centimetres wide, with the process lasting about 40 hours.<\/p>\n<p>Once installed at the ISS, the 3D printer will manufacture four metal samples that will be sent back to Earth for analysis. The ground-based engineering model of the printer will also produce the same specimens.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1403540 js-lazy\" alt=\"metal 3D printer Airbus ESA \" width=\"546\" height=\"514\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print.png 546w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-223x210.png 223w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-143x135.png 143w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-287x270.png 287w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fdeep-tech%2F2024%2F02%2F01%2Fesa-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-space-iss%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The four test prints. Credit: Airbus Space and Defence SAS\" data-title=\"Share The four test prints. Credit: Airbus Space and Defence SAS on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The four test prints. Credit: Airbus Space and Defence SAS on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The four test prints. Credit: Airbus Space and Defence SAS<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1403540\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print.png\" alt=\"metal 3D printer Airbus ESA \" width=\"546\" height=\"514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print.png 546w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-223x210.png 223w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-143x135.png 143w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_test_print-287x270.png 287w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIn order to evaluate the effects of microgravity, ESA and Danish Technical University will perform mechanical strength and bending tests and microstructural analysis on the parts made in space and compare them to the other specimens,\u201d S\u00e9bastien Girault, metal 3D-printer\u00a0system engineer at Airbus, explained.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In-space_manufacturing_the_new_frontier\"><\/span>In-space manufacturing: the new frontier<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper latest channel-cta hs-embed-tnw\">\n<div id=\"hs-embed-tnw\" class=\"channel-cta-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"channel-cta-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/div>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"channel-cta-input\">\n<p class=\"channel-cta-title\">The &lt;3 of EU tech<\/p>\n<p class=\"channel-cta-tagline\">The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol&#8217; founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It&#8217;s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In-space manufacturing has emerged as the new frontier both for research and for improved space exploration capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to R&amp;D, space\u2019s properties \u2014 its microgravity, near-vacuum state, and higher levels of radiation \u2014 offer a unique testbed for sectors ranging from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/the-benefits-of-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-low-earth-orbit-leo-for-terrestrial-use\/\">semiconductors<\/a> to pharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the ability to repair or produce parts in space reduces the reliance on supplies sent from\u00a0Earth and is therefore key to extended exploration and life support in space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIncreasing the level of maturity and automation of additive manufacturing in space could be a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> changer for supporting life beyond Earth,\u201d Gwena\u00eblle Aridon, Airbus Space Assembly lead engineer, said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThinking beyond the ISS, the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lications could be amazing. Imagine a metal printer using transformed regolith [moondust] or recycled materials to build a lunar base!\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_metal_age_of_space\"><\/span>The metal age of space<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>3D printing of plastic parts aboard the ISS has been taking place since 2014. But printing metal in space comes with a set of challenges.<\/p>\n<p>The first one is size. This\u00a0required shrinking the printer to the dimensions of a washing machine; in comparison, ground-based printers occupy a minimum of 10 square metres, according to Girault.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1403542 js-lazy\" alt=\"3D metal printer ESA Airbus\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1230\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1640px) 100vw, 1640px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars.jpg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-280x210.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-796x597.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1592x1194.jpg 1592w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-368x276.jpg 368w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-736x552.jpg 736w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1200x900.jpg 1200w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fdeep-tech%2F2024%2F02%2F01%2Fesa-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-space-iss%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The 3D metal printer. Credit: ESA\" data-title=\"Share The 3D metal printer. Credit: ESA on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The 3D metal printer. Credit: ESA on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The 3D metal printer. Credit: ESA<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1403542\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars.jpg\" alt=\"3D metal printer ESA Airbus\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars.jpg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-280x210.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-796x597.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1592x1194.jpg 1592w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-368x276.jpg 368w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-736x552.jpg 736w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Metal_3D_printer_for_the_International_Space_Station_pillars-1200x900.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Another challenge is safety. That\u2019s because a metal 3D printer not only operates in higher temperatures, but also requires a powerful laser to melt the metal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe melting point of stainless steel is about 1400 \u00b0C so the printer operates within a fully sealed box, preventing excess heat or fumes from reaching the crew of the Space Station,\u201d Advenit Makaya, materials engineer at ESA, said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd before the print process begins the printer\u2019s internal oxygen atmosphere has to be vented to space, replaced by nitrogen \u2014 the hot stainless steel would oxidise if it became exposed to the oxygen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If the 3D printer yields successful results, the technology could prove critical to Mars and lunar exploration, while contributing to ESA\u2019s vision for a circular space economy.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/esa-worlds-first-metal-3d-printer-space-iss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The world\u2019s first metal 3D printer for space is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be installed in ESA\u2019s Columbus module. Its mission is to demonstrate the validity of the technology in orbit and pave the way for future use on Mars and the Moon. Developed by Airbus, the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":606980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2024\/02\/Untitled-design-26.jpg&signature=db6814df7b3449b55f813044edde77ec","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-606979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/606979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=606979"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/606979\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/606980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=606979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=606979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=606979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}