In an exciting milestone, the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully 3D printed the first-ever metal part in space using their Metal 3D Printer.
This advanced technology, developed by Airbus and its partners, was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year.
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen set up the printer in the European Drawer Rack located in the Columbus module of the ISS.
By August, the printer produced its first metal part in microgravity.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for space exploration, as future missions to the Moon and Mars will face longer durations and greater distances from Earth.
In such missions, relying on resupplies will become more difficult.
3D printing metal parts in space will allow astronauts to manufacture essential components, repair equipment, or create tools as needed, giving them more independence during missions.
The printed metal part, along with three others to be created later, will be returned to Earth for detailed quality analysis.
Two of these samples will go to ESA’s technical center in the Netherlands, one to the astronaut training center in Germany for the LUNA facility, and the final sample to the Technical University of Denmark.
While the ISS has used plastic 3D printers before, this is the first time a metal component has been printed in space, opening up new possibilities for space travel and exploration.
Source: European Space Agency.
