Photo Description: Left: Additive Manufacturing (3D printed) metal parts on earth. Right: The same parts printed in International Space Station. Credit ESA/NASA
On September 6, 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully 3D-printed its first metal component in space aboard the International Space Station (Right picture). Developed by Airbus and partners, this metal 3D printer marks a significant advancement in in-space manufacturing, operating in microgravity to produce high-quality parts. This achievement builds on previous plastic 3D printing efforts and represents a key step in creating on-demand, mission-critical components for long-term space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Returning to Earth for analysis, this breakthrough highlights the growing importance of additive manufacturing in reducing dependency on resupply missions and enabling greater autonomy for astronauts. With further testing underway, the success of metal 3D printing in space opens new possibilities for sustainable space exploration.
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