Spaceborne construction 3D printer to launch aboard 3D printed rocket Aerospace

Spaceborne construction 3D printer to launch aboard 3D printed rocket Aerospace

The future of space exploration as we imagine it is not going to be possible without the heavy implementation of 3D printing technologies, intended in a broad sense as digital, additive and robotic manufacturing processes. Now NASA has awarded a $73.7 million contract to Made In Space, Inc. of Mountain View, California, to demonstrate the ability of its small spacecraft, called Archinaut One, to manufacture and assemble (3D print) spacecraft components in low-Earth orbit. Made in Space ‘s spaceborne construction 3D printer will launch aboard the Rocket Lab 3D rocket, powered by 3D printed engines, no earlier than 2022.

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Made In Space’s Archinaut can power up small satellites Aerospace

With many exciting developments in the intersecting industries of additive manufacturing and space exploration this past week, we were hardly surprised to hear that Made In Space, a pioneer of 3D printing in space, also had some news. The company, responsible for sending the first 3D printer (the AMF system) into space in 2016, is now developing power systems for small satellites which will provide them with large satellite power and capability.