3D Printers and Printing

NASA recently announced its new Future Engineers challenge, The Think Outside the Box Challenge, for students grades K-12. The challenge celebrates the launch of BEAM, which is the International Space Station’s first expandable habitat. It also celebrates the launch of the first 3D printer in space. The Think Outside the Box Challenge encourages students to design an object that can be 3D printed within a 14cm x 10cm x 10 cm build area, and expand in some way (assembles, telescopes, hinges, etc.) to become larger than those dimensions. The challenge is open until August 1, 2016, with semifinalists announced on September 8. More information can be found here. [Read more…]

Dr. Phil Metzger, Ph.D. is the Lead Research Physicist and founder of NASA’s Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations (GMRO) Lab, which is part of the Surface Systems Swamp Works (gotta love it). Here’s Phil’s explanation of what the GMRO does: “The GMRO Lab develops technologies primarily related to regolith – that is, excavation, conveyance, in and out of chemical processors, manufacturing and construction with regolith, site preparation, landing pad construction, prediction of rocket exhaust blast effects, etc.” It is the GMRO’s work that will make lunar 3D printing possible. Here’s Phil’s mind-expanding take on the motivation, challenges and possibilities. “The cost of a lunar mission is directly proportional to the [Read more…]