Researchers at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering have developed a groundbreaking 3D printer capable of functioning in zero-gravity environments, potentially revolutionising space construction and exploration.
This innovative technology, recently awarded a patent, could pave the way for orbital fabricators to produce new parts and components for equipment in space.
Dr. Gilles Bailet, the lead researcher behind this project, explained the significance of their achievement: “We’ve tested the technology extensively in the lab and now in microgravity, and we’re confident that it’s ready to perform as expected, opening up the possibility of 3D printing antenna and other spacecraft parts in space.”
3D printing, at its core, is an additive manufacturing process that creates physical objects from digital designs by laying down thin layers of material and fusing them together. However, traditional 3D printing methods face challenges in space environments.
“The filaments in conventional 3D printers often break or jam in microgravity and in vacuum, which is a problem that needs to be solved before they can be reliably used in space,” Dr. Bailet noted.
To overcome this hurdle, his team developed a unique granular material that works effectively in microgravity and vacuum conditions.
The potential applications of this technology are vast. It could enable the production of solar reflectors for zero-carbon power generation, improved communication antennae, and even drug research stations capable of creating purer, more effective pharmaceuticals in orbit.
The prototype demonstrator proved its effectiveness during the 85th European Space Agency parabolic flight campaign in Bordeaux, France, last November, where the system performed as designed during brief periods of weightlessness lasting twenty-two seconds.
This breakthrough comes at a time when 3D printing is increasingly being recognised as a game-changer in various industries, including aerospace. Boeing, for instance, is already using 3D-printed titanium parts in the construction of its 787 Dreamliner airliner.
As we look to the future, this Scottish innovation could play a crucial role in advancing space exploration and construction, bringing us one step closer to sustainable off-world habitation and manufacturing.