A new 3D printer aboard the International Space Station?

The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently testing a 3D printer capable of operating in zero gravity, designed by various international partners; it will be designed to print technical polymers with high mechanical and thermal properties. Although it is still at the prototype stage, the printer may well allow astronauts to design all kinds of parts directly in space.

3D printing has been of interest to both the European Space Agency and the International Space Station for some time now, with the ISS having already worked with Made in Space to create the first 3D printer capable of operating in zero gravity. After winning a public tender launched by the ESA, the consortium of companies – consisting of the Portuguese manufacturer BEECREATIVE, Germany’s SONACA Space and OHB-Sytem, as well as Active Space Technologies – launched the MELT project. The goal was to develop and fully test a 3D printer that could work onboard the ISS. An initiative that should not fail to make the cut in our next ranking of 3D printing applications in space!

The Made in Space 3D printer, able to print in zero gravity

A 3D printer for astronauts

By bringing together the expertise of the four project stakeholders, they were able to deliver their prototype to the ESA for a testing phase after two years of research. The printer will be compatible with industrial polymers and could become a new manufacturing tool for astronauts. Little information is available about the technology used, but it seems to be very similar to fused disposition modeling.