ESA Achieves Major Milestone With First Metal 3D-Printed Component in Space

, has had a profound impact on the way we do business. There is scarcely any industry that has not been affected by the adoption of this technology, and that includes spaceflight. Companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Relativity Space have all turned to 3D printing to manufacture engines, components, and entire rockets.

NASA has also 3D-printed an Similarly, the ESA and NASA have been experimenting with 3D printing in space, known as in-space manufacturing . Recently, the ESA achieved a major milestone when their. This technology is poised to revolutionize operations in Low-Earth Orbit by ensuring that replacement parts can be manufactured in situ rather than relying on resupply missions.



These four samples will then be sent to Earth for quality analysis and testing. Two will be sent to the ESA’sEuropean Astronaut Centre—a lunar analog environment designed for astronaut training. The availability of ISM will significantly reduce the challenges of resupplying spacecraft as they travel to the Moon, Mars, and other locations in deep space.

For long-duration missions on the lunar surface, the ability to print machine parts and ship them directly from LEO will reduce the number of launches needed to sustain operations there. As for Mars, the ability to manufacture replacement parts, repair equipment, and construct specific tools on demand will ensure a measure of autonomy for mission crews and reduce their reliance on resupply missions sent from Earth. The potential applications for this technology are almost limitless and are integral to all plans for human expansion beyond Low Earth Orbit .

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