Skip to main content

NASA is about to send a 3D printer into space

nasa send 3d printer space
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Giving astronauts the ability to 3D print their own replacement parts and equipment could transform life in space, and this weekend (weather permitting) NASA is taking the first steps towards making it a reality. A 3D printer called Portal is being sent to the International Space Station on the next SpaceX Dragon capsule to go into orbit.

The size of a small microwave, the device will enable those working on board the ISS to test how well 3D printing copes with the microgravity conditions in space. NASA says the printer can produce some plastic items in just 15 minutes, and speedy output can make all the difference if there’s an emergency outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

Recommended Videos

Made In Space is the company behind the Portal printer, and it’s been produced on the back of more than 30,000 hours of testing in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “We’re sending this bad boy off to NASA with wishes of living long and prospering,” said Aaron Kemmer, Made In Space’s co-founder.

“I think the goal in our deep space exploration, or habitation on a planetary surface, is to try and anticipate needs,” said NASA’s LaNetra Tate. “Cargo ships just can’t go make a quick run to deliver you something that you’ve run out of. People are looking at it as potentially being used for more complex components and primary structures.”

Once on the ISS, astronauts will be able to find out just how effective 3D printing in space can be. Unfortunately, bad weather initially delayed the launch of the SpaceX Dragon with the Portal on board. NASA is hoping to try again when the weather improves on Sunday.

David Nield
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Dave is a freelance journalist from Manchester in the north-west of England. He's been writing about technology since the…
Watch Axiom Space’s first all-European mission blast off the launchpad
Axiom Space's crewed Axiom-3 mission leaving the launchpad.

The first all-European commercial crew has launched safely from the Kennedy Space Center and is now on its way to the International Space Station.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the four-person crew for Axiom Space's Axiom-3 mission blasted off the launchpad just before 4:50 p.m. ET (1:50 p.m. ET) on Thursday before climbing rapidly to orbit. Here’s some footage and images of the rocket heading to space:

Read more
SpaceX has set a new date for Axiom-3 crewed rocket launch
The Axiom 3 mission waiting to launch.

The Falcon 9 rocket that will carry the Axiom 3 crew to space. SpaceX

NASA’s third private launch to the International Space Station (ISS) has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday to give SpaceX more time to complete pre-launch checkouts and data analysis on the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule.

Read more
A NASA cat video in deep space just did something very special
Taters the cat in a video beamed from deep space.

NASA has achieved an impressive first by streaming an ultra-HD video to Earth by laser from 19 million miles away.

“This will pave the way for higher-data-rate communications in support of the next giant leap: sending humans to Mars,” the space agency said in a social media post on Monday announcing the feat.

Read more