A groundbreaking European Metal 3D Printer is en route to the ISS to produce metal parts in space for the first time.
Developed by Airbus, this technology could lay the foundation for complex metallic structures in space, supporting the exploration of the Moon and Mars.
The printer uses stainless steel to print robust and corrosion-resistant components in space. Tests include four shapes analyzed for their performance compared to reference prints on Earth.
Pioneering Work in Orbit: European Metal 3D Printer Launches to the International Space Station.
The path for metal 3D printing in space is paved: A groundbreaking European-made metal 3D printer is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Cygnus NG-20 resupply mission. This revolutionary printer represents a first in space exploration as it aims to produce metal parts in space for the very first time.
The technical challenge of metal 3D printing in space lies in extreme conditions, including higher temperatures and the use of a laser to melt the metal. Ensuring the safety of the crew and the space station itself is crucial, with very limited maintenance possibilities. However, the success of this project could revolutionize the potential of space 3D printing due to the enhanced properties of metal, such as strength and conductivity.
Upon arrival at the ISS, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will install the approximately 180 kg Metal 3D printer in the European Draw Rack Mark II in ESA’s Columbus module. Control and monitoring will then be conducted from Earth, allowing the printing to take place without direct oversight from Andreas.
The Metal 3D Printer has been developed by an industrial team led by Airbus Defence and Space SAS in collaboration with ESA's Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration. This technology demonstrator aims to lay the groundwork for manufacturing more complex metallic structures in space, supporting future exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Printing will be done using a type of stainless steel commonly used in medical implants and water treatment due to its good resistance to corrosion. To ensure safety, the printing process takes place within a fully sealed box, and the printer's fans and motors are relatively noisy, limiting the scheduled print time to four hours daily.
Four interesting shapes have been selected to test the performance of the Metal 3D printer. These initial objects will be compared with reference prints on Earth to determine how the space environment affects the printing process. Due to noise regulations on the space station, the print time is limited, but each shape weighs less than 250 g and takes about two to four weeks to print.
After printing, Andreas will remove the objects, pack them safely for return to Earth, and submit them to various institutions for analysis. The insights gained will help understand differences in printing quality and performance in space compared to Earth.
