First 3D Printer Is Now Officially At the International Space Station
Today, the first 3D printer arrived in space, at the International Space Station, much to the excitement of the everyone. The Zero-G 3D printer, by Made in Space was delivered along with 5,000 lbs. of supplies in the SpaceX Dragon freighter. It locked into place at ISS earlier this afternoon to much hoopla, and will be immediately set up to start producing demo pieces such as tools and parts, which will be viewed by NASA on video, as well as inspected upon return to see if the 3D printed pieces actually have what it takes to make it in space. Additive manufactured is hoped to be a tool used in space in the future for printing replacement parts and helping to build space stations, perhaps on Mars. There are a number of businesses who have their sights set on starting quite an industry there. More details on this story can be found here: http://3dprint.com/16358/first-3d-pr...space-station/
Check out an image of the Dragon space capsule attached to the ISS:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload.../drag-feat.png