For the first time a metal component printed in 3D in orbit has returned to earth to be analyzed. Here’s what … it will serve.
A historical goal for the 3D printing in space: The first metal component never made in orbit He returned to Earth. The sample was produced by the 3D printer for ESA metal on board the International Space Station (ISS) And now it is located in the Esac laboratories, the ESA Technical Center in the Netherlands.
The printer, developed by Airbus and other companies, was installed in the Columbus module from the astronaut Esa Andreas Mogensen during the Huginn mission in January 2024. In June he made his first printa curved line in the shape of ‘s’. In summer he produced The first real champion and a second specimen in December.
After plastic, the metal
Now the first sample will be analyzed in the laboratory of Electrical Materials and Components of the Esc e compared with prints made on earth To study the effects of microgravity on printing process. The second sample will be delivered to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).
Although in the past on the ISS they have been used 3D printers For materials plasticthis is the first time that it was possible to print metal in space. The direct production of pieces in orbit will be essential for future spatial exploration missions, reducing dependence on expensive refueling and allowing the astronauts to manufacture components, instruments and pieces of replacement Upon request.
