Space Agency 3D prints its first metal part in space on the ISS

The European Space Agency (ESA) has produced its first-ever metal part in space using its 3D printer. In the past, the International Space Station (ISS) has created plastic parts, but it’s the first time it has been able to print metal, which may have more applications.

The printer was successfully installed on board the ISS in January. According to Airbus, who are one of the manufacturers of the device, the objective is to “demonstrate the feasibility of metallic part production in microgravity, opening the way to new on-orbit manufacturing capabilities.”

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen installed the payload in the European Drawer Rack of ESA’s Columbus module. In August, the printer generated the first 3D metal shape in space.

The ESA revealed that the ability to print metal would be vital in its Moon and Mars missions as it would be more difficult to resupply.

In a statement, the agency said: “Additive manufacturing in space will give autonomy for the mission and its crew, providing a solution to manufacture needed parts, to repair equipment or construct dedicated tools, on demand during the mission, rather than relying on resupplies and redundancies.”