NASA is set to send the first 3D printer into space, potentially allowing astronauts to print new parts of the International Space Station (ISS) in zero-gravity conditions. “Weve been building tools for thousands of years. This is the first time that its not happening down here, but up there [in space]. Thats paradigm shifting,” Aaron Kemmer – CEO and co-founder of Made in Space, the printers manufacturer – told CNET. “We can actually leave planet Earth if we can start doing this more and more, if we start living off the land, building there, getting independent from planet Earth, rather than being completely dependent,” he said. In addition to making parts at the station, NASA envisages it helping set up residents in far-away places such as Mars. “If were really going to set up shop on Mars, we have to do this,” Jeff Sheehy, NASAs senior technologist, said Friday. “We really cant afford to bring everything we need for an indefinite amount of time. Well need to get to the point where we can make things that we need as we go.”
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 21:26:59 +0000
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