NASA plans to send a 3D printer into space next year to astronauts operate more efficiently in outer space.
"Any time we realize we can 3D print something in space, it's like Christmas," inventor Andrew Filo told Fox News in a statement. "You can get rid of concepts like rationing, scarce or irreplaceable." Filo is also guiding NASA on the project.
The new equipment, which is the size of toaster will lighten the load for astronauts because they won't have to bring all of their tools, or every spare part or supply they might need.
"If you want to be adaptable, you have to be able to design and manufacture on the fly, and that's where 3D printing in space comes in," Dave Korsmeyer, director of engineering at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field told Fox News in a statement. The center sits roughly 35 miles south of San Francisco.
The printer would be able to make objects by pushing out plastic from long coils, which would be around large spools. The machines are similar to the kind doctors use when replacing joints. Artists also using them to create jewelry Fox News reported.
"Imagine an astronaut needing to make a life-or-death repair on the international space station," Aaron Kemmer, chief executive officer of Made in Space told Fox News in a statement. "Rather than hoping that the necessary parts and tools are on the station already, what if the parts could be 3D printed when they needed them?"
Over time, astronauts could use the plastic spools instead of metal instruments and hardware. NASA plans to test the new device next fall.
The administration chose from over a dozen machines including desktop models to warehouse builders. Prices for these ranged anywhere between $300 to $500,000.
"The good news is that you don't have to have this huge amount of inventory in space, but the bad news is now you need materials, in this case filament, and a lot of power," Scott Crump, who helped create the technology told Fox News.
