Skip to content

Beam it up, Scotty: 3D Printing may have space applications

Tools and mechanical parts might be “beamed” up to a space station or a lunar or Mars base using technology that has in recent years become a central process in design prototyping known as 3D printing or SLS (selective laser sintering). In this technology, an object is scanned and a powdery substance is converted via a heating process into a duplicate solid form. A striking demonstration of this technology can be seen in this 4-minute video clip from the National Geographic Channel.

A variation of the technology might also be used for lunar materials production by fabricating items from lunar regolith. Markus Kayser has demonstrated a prototype “Solar Sinter” device that uses the power of the sun to produce glass-like objects made from desert sand. You can view a 6-minute video demonstration of the device as tested in the Sahara Desert.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Picture of National Space Society

National Space Society

1 thought on “Beam it up, Scotty: 3D Printing may have space applications”

Leave a Comment

Search
Categories
future 1

Don't Miss a Beat!

Be the first to know when new articles are posted!

Follow Us On Social Media

JOIN THE
GREATEST ADVENTURE

Give The Gift Of Space: Membership For Friends and Family

Book Review

Archives

ISDC 2025:
Together Beyond!

In Orlando at the Rosen Centre Hotel.
June 19 - 22, 2025

Recent Blog Posts

The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum Thursday, June 12, 2024, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST Behind the Lens: CapturingFive

Isaacman Will Be the Featured Speaker at Dinner Event on June 21 in Orlando, FL Private astronaut and philanthropist Jared Isaacman will speak at the

Category: Nonfiction Reviewed by: Susan Raizer Title: Into the Void: Adventures of the Spacewalkers Author: John Youskauskas and Melvin Croft Format: Hardcover/Kindle/Audiobook Pages: 392 Publisher:

The National Space Society has just released a Position Paper on the NASA 2026 Skinny Budget. Précis: NSS advocates increasing NASA’s budget rather than reducing

Category: Nonfiction Reviewed by: Douglas G. Adler Title: Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact Author: Keith Cooper Format: Hardcover/Kindle Pages: 224 Publisher: Reaktion

National Space Society Annual Event Will Be Held on June 19-22 in Orlando, FL The National Space Society is pleased to announce that former NASA

The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum Thursday, May 22, 2024, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST Blue Ghost’s Moon Mission:

The National Space Society ISDC Will be Held in Orlando, FL in June Former NASA astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave will receive the prestigious Robert A.

Your Doorway to New Worlds