3D printing is a technology that is quite useful as it has successfully restored functionality to items that are no longer supported by manufacturers. The potential of 3D printing is also realized by space agencies because when doing missions far from earth, spare parts components that can be printed when needed will ensure that the mission can continue. Recently Airbus and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the success of metal-based 3D printing for the first time in space.
Experiments were carried out on the International Space Station (ISS) last month with machines produced by Airbus in collaboration with Cranfield University from the United Kingdom. Stainless steel wire is used in this printer with the metal parts heated using a laser to create the coating. It will cool faster allowing the next layer to be produced to complete the 3D printing process.
A total of four metal 3D components were successfully printed using the first prototype machine. Metal-based 3D printing is more difficult than 3D printing because of the higher temperatures and more complex construction issues. it becomes more difficult in outer space because of the absence of gravity and the danger of fire can destroy the spacecraft. That is why this metal-based 3D printing experiment was carried out in a separate closed room.
The success of this first experiment further increases humanity's understanding of the challenge of printing objects in space. The first time 3D printing was done on the ISS was in 2014 and it was based on plastic.