NASA Tests Feasibility of 3D Printing on the Moon and Other Planets

ErnieKey writes A major application of 3d printing that could revolutionize space travel would be using 3d printers to create structures on non-terrestrial bodies like the moon, other planets, and even asteroids. Researchers from NASA's Kennedy Space Center have been working to develop solutions to materials issues, and recently presented initial findings on the potential for using in-situ materials like basalt for 3D printing. Their innovative method is based on only using in-situ supplies, and not materials that need to be brought into space.

Comments

The biggest problem is fluid dynamics.

[mmell]

Fluids (the stuff generally coming out of the print heads of most 3-D printers) just don't behave the same at <.001g as they do at 1 g.