Long term occupancy of lunar or Martian bases will require more than just technological bases like the ISS. The water can be purified for human consumption or separated into hydrogen and oxygen for human consumption or combustion using the fuel produced. In addition, carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere (95%) can be catalyzed with Iron from Martian soil (5 - 14%) to make fuel for electrical power generation, heating, and for vehicles operating on the Red Planet. NASA has also partnered with architecture firm AI SpaceFactory to develop materials that simulate lunar regolith to 3D print structures and houses. NASA is working with U.S based ICON to develop technologies for 3D printing structures and homes on the Moon with regolith, surface dust found on the Moon or Mars comprised of dust, broken rocks, and other trace materials. Look out for:ĭue to the current high cost of transporting every kilogram into space, it is imperative to use as much material as can be found off-world. Having entered 2021, our space odyssey continues with even more exciting breakthroughs around the corner. This could serve as an important proof-of-concept for manufacturing operations that act as hubs to export high quality parts back to Earth. These ceramic parts are for turbines and intended for export to Earth later this year. In late 2020, Made in Space’s Ceramic Manufacturing Module was used to 3D print the first ceramic parts in space. By 2020, the AMF has produced over 200 tools, assets, and parts onboard the ISS. These environments can produce higher quality parts because of fewer distortions than are produced in Earth’s stronger gravity.Īstronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have been 3D printing parts since 2014, using U.S based Made In Space’s Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF). The ability to 3D print off-world (in zero or low gravity environments) requires technological sophistication and an understanding of the performance of machines and materials in microgravity. India-based startup Skyroot unveiled, in September of 2020, its fully 3D printed cryogenic rocket engine, Dhawan-1, which will be used to launch satellites into orbit later this year. Its benefits include lower costs, lighter components, and design freedoms that lead to reduction in the number of parts and assembly.Īs of 2020, NASA was working with U.S based companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne, Blue Origin, and Relativity Space to 3D print rocket engines, launch vehicles and landing modules. From 3D printed rocket parts to entire engines themselves, 3D printing was successfully used commercially. Neither would recognize how rockets are made today. Robert Goddard and Wernher von Braun are probably rolling over in their graves.
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