3D printing in space: Latest tech, news and concepts

Made in Space Team During Zero-G Test Flight
Made in Space team members with their 3-D printer hang on during a zero-g test flight. (Image credit: Made in Space)

The rise of 3D printing technology is not confined to Earth. Private companies, NASA and other groups are quickly developing new concepts to launch 3D printing into the final frontier. See the latest news, videos and photos of 3D printing in space here.

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Latest about 3d printing in space

Levitating particles controlled by a magnetic and acoustic field clump together to form human heart model.

3D-printed hearts on ISS could help astronauts travel to deep space

By Monisha Ravisetti published

Scientists are using new technologies to create 3D-printed hearts that'll be sent to the ISS in about five years. This could be key for a future in which humans are deep-space explorers.

International Space Station
Cover art for 'Stars in Your Hand: A Guide to 3D Printing the Cosmos."

3D print the cosmos: An interview with the authors of 'Stars in Your Hand'

By Brett Tingley last updated

The new book 'Stars in Your Hand: A Guide to 3D Printing the Cosmos' offers an overview of how 3D printing can help anyone learn about space, spaceflight and astronomy.

Space Books
A rendering of Relativity Space's future factory space in Long Beach, California.

New Relativity Space factory will host dozens of 3D printers for Terran rockets

By Elizabeth Howell published

3D rocket-printing startup Relativity Space said it plans a "major expansion" of operations and manufacturing to boost production of its Terran rocket line.

Tech
The 3D-printed thrust chamber assembly of the methane-fueled M10 rocket engine passed its first series of hot-firing tests at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in February 2020. The M10 engine will power the upper stage of future Vega evolutions in 2025.

Vega rocket's new 3D-printed thrust chamber passes critical hot-fire test (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A successful firing test shows that Europe's lightweight Vega launcher is well on its way to cheaper and more efficient launches in 2025, officials say.

Tech
Artist's illustration of Relativity Space's Terran 1 rocket lifting off.

Relativity Space will 3D-print rockets at new autonomous factory in Long Beach, California

By Mike Wall published

The company aims to revolutionize rocketry via 3D printing and intelligent automation.

Tech
Made in Space’s Plastic Recycler hardware, which is scheduled to launch toward the International Space Station aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft on Nov. 2, 2019.

Plastic Recycler Will Turn Space Station Trash into 3D Printing Stock

By Mike Wall published

California-based company Made In Space is set to launch its Plastic Recycler toward the International Space Station next Saturday (Nov. 2) aboard Northrop Grumman's robotic Cygnus cargo spacecraft.

International Space Station
An illustration of Relativity Space's Terran 1 rocket launching into space.

Relativity Space to Launch Satellite 'Tugs' on 3D-Printed Rocket

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

Relativity Space, a company that builds and lofts 3D-printed rockets, will launch a half-dozen missions for the in-orbit shuttle service company Momentus beginning in 2021.

Satellites
An artist's concept of Made In Space’s Archinaut spacecraft 3D-printing and assembling satellite reflectors in space.

Archinaut, a Construction Robot for Space, Could Launch a Test Flight in 2022

By Mike Wall published

NASA has awarded California startup Made In Space $73.7 million to give the company's "Archinaut" spacecraft-assembly technology an orbital test.

Tech
Team AI SpaceFactory won first place in the final phase of NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge with Marsha, a tall, thin proposed habitat for the surface of Mars designed to be built autonomously.

Here's the Winner of NASA's 3D-Printed Mars Habitat Challenge

By Elizabeth Howell published

New York-based design agency AI SpaceFactory took the top prize in a NASA competition to 3D print a habitat that could be used on the moon or Mars.

Tech
One of the winning teams of a NASA competition to make a full-scale Mars habitat using modeling software, Team SEArch+/Apis Cor, designed this Martian abode, which is built from the upper part of a Hercules Single-Stage Reusable Vehicle.

NASA Announces $100,000 Winners of Virtual 3D-Printed Mars Habitats

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA picked three teams to share a $100,000 award from a competition to make virtual Martian habitats.

Tech
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