A 3D printer which will fly to the International Space Station next year has been likened to Star Trek’s Replicator by an astronaut who spent six months on the ISS.
In Star Trek, the machines could create any inanimate object out of thin air.
NASA’s version has been created by Made in Space specifically to work on the International Space Station - and will create spare parts “on demand” for astronauts. Timothy Creamer, a NASA astronaut who spent time on the ISS said, “It provides us the ability to do our own Star Trek “replication” on the spot. It helps us replace things we’ve lost - or things we’ve broken - and to make anything we have thought of that could be useful.”
In Star Trek, the machines could create any inanimate object out of thin air.
NASA’s version has been created by Made in Space specifically to work on the International Space Station - and will create spare parts “on demand” for astronauts. Timothy Creamer, a NASA astronaut who spent time on the ISS said, “It provides us the ability to do our own Star Trek “replication” on the spot. It helps us replace things we’ve lost - or things we’ve broken - and to make anything we have thought of that could be useful.”
The space agency is also investigating a 3D printer that could not only print out food - but also living flesh, which could be used for transplants.
If an astronaut lost a body part, the printer could “secrete” cells to replace it.
The printer would create 3D arrays of cells using Martian atmospheric gases and rocks - to create everything from organic to “novel, biologically derived materials not previously possible to fabricate.”
“Imagine being able to print anything from tools and composite building materials to food and human tissues,” the space agency says. “Imagine being on Mars with the ability to replace any broken part, whether it's a part of your spacesuit, your habitat, or your own body.”
If an astronaut lost a body part, the printer could “secrete” cells to replace it.
The printer would create 3D arrays of cells using Martian atmospheric gases and rocks - to create everything from organic to “novel, biologically derived materials not previously possible to fabricate.”
“Imagine being able to print anything from tools and composite building materials to food and human tissues,” the space agency says. “Imagine being on Mars with the ability to replace any broken part, whether it's a part of your spacesuit, your habitat, or your own body.”
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