3D printing will impact space development in many ways

3D printing, also known as “additive printing”, will benefit space activities in manifold ways as described in this ESA article : Ten ways 3D printing could change space – ESA.

For example, it can make structures that can’t be made with conventional machining techniques:

3D-printed_titanium_lattice_ball_node_full_image

A lightweight titanium lattice ball manufactured using the Additive Manufacturing
or 3D printing process. This design is a good example of AM capabilities: these
hollow balls possessing a complex external geometry could not have been
manufactured in a single part using a conventional manufacturing process.
But they are incredibly light while also stiff, opening up possibilities for future
space applications.

Close-up_of_3D-printed_titanium_lattice_ball_node_full_imageHere’s a close-up.

At the other end of the scale, entire large structures on the Moon and elsewhere could be built with the 3D printing technique:

Multi-dome_base_being_constructed_node_full_imageMulti-dome lunar base being constructed, based on the 3D printing concept.
Once assembled, the inflated domes are covered with a layer of 3D-printed
lunar regolith by robots to help protect the occupants against space
radiation and micrometeoroids

Update: The ESA article mentions making models with 3D printing. Here is a video showing an animation using 50 models made with 3D printing:

2 thoughts on “3D printing will impact space development in many ways”

  1. The most useful applications of 3d printing will come *in* Space, where far larger structures far lighter than they can be built on the ground can be printed. There is less need for EVAs to put together pieces that way as well. This could drop the mass of materials to be placed in orbit by 4-5 times.

    There is also movement beyond macro-3d printing. Dr. Geer’s team at Caltech has demoed 3d architectured nano-materials. Their micro-trusses are presently at densities 100 times less than they would be as solid materials with equivalent strength. Dr. Greer says they have a potential to drop densities another 4 orders of magnitude, with strength maintained.

    http://www.jrgreer.caltech.edu/home.php

    I note that such ratios will make for less capital needed to grab large asteroids, because smaller ones, including Earth’s “temporary satellites” will be able to provide initial mass requirements with ease. Those “temporary satellites” are in eccentric and fuzzy orbits around Earth, and hard to find, because of their small sizes, but they are replenished about every 10 months. So if we use them up in 10 months, another set will have wandered into the Earth/Moon gravity well, and be available. It’s a renewable resource! Note that even at present levels of densities that means that every 10 months these 3d architectured nano materials could prodvide structures equivalent to 30,000 tons lifted from Earth, without leaving the Earth/Moon gravity well. Very small, they are, but the return would be excellent!

  2. I definitely agree that 3d printing will be great for in-space apps. The company Made-In-Space (http://www.madeinspace.us/) will test their printer on the station this year. Deep Space Industries is focused on using 3D printers in microgravity in the way you suggest with asteroidal materials.

    Longer term, I believe that combining additive manufacturing with swarm robotic systems that work 24/7 will make it possible to build giant O’Neill type structures in space in a finite time.

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