The inventor of this new technology, Andrew Filo, says about the importance of his product:
“You can get rid of concepts like rationing, scarce or irreplaceable.” He is completed in argumentation by Dave Korsmeyer, director of engineering at NASA’s Ames Research Center:
“If you want to be adaptable, you have to be able to design and manufacture on the fly, and that’s where 3-D printing in space comes in.”
NASA uses a special laboratory, “Made in Space”, in Silicon Valley, where various equipments and conditions for this revolutionary project are tested.
Without any doubt, the conditions in the space are different and because of this a special 3-D printer capable to adapt to microgravity, differing air pressures, variable temperatures and limited power will be used. This printer must capture gasses emitted from the extruded plastics and be able to print even
its own components for self repair.
It isn't known yet which will be the first piece to be built in space for a 3-D printer.
