In a significant advancement for in-space manufacturing, researchers at Leibniz University Hannover, in partnership with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, have successfully developed and tested a flexible 3D printing process capable of producing and repairing metal components in microgravity. This breakthrough paves the way for manufacturing essential parts and tools on the moon or Mars using locally sourced materials.
The research team utilized a laser metal deposition process with metal powder, successfully fabricating components from titanium and nickel alloys under simulated microgravity conditions. The experiments were conducted within the Einstein Elevator at the Hannover Institute of Technology, a facility that mimics the weightless environment of space.
This innovative technology holds the potential to revolutionize space missions by enabling astronauts to repair damaged components on-demand, thereby reducing the dependency on costly and logistically complex shipments of spare parts from Earth.
Looking ahead, the researchers’ next major objective is to adapt the process to utilize lunar regolith—the dust and soil found on the moon’s surface. Successfully processing regolith would be a critical milestone, unlocking the ability to construct habitats, tools, and other necessary infrastructure directly on the lunar surface, marking a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth.
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