3D printing in space is becoming increasingly feasible, with projects demonstrating the ability to design and manufacture components in microgravity environments. A notable development in this field is the LASED (Laser Ablation and Sintering Enabling Deposition) machine, a compact 3D printer that can generate nanoparticles, deposit materials through a nozzle, and sinter powder. This printer has been successfully tested aboard a Boeing aircraft, which performed parabolic arcs to create 23 to 25 seconds of microgravity conditions.
Masoud Mahjouri-Samani, a professor at Auburn University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, described the LASED as a fully functional and integrated machine capable of completing complex tasks within a short timeframe. With its compact size of only 60 cm and energy consumption of less than 500 watts, it is highly practical for use in spacecraft.
The primary goal of developing the LASED was to provide astronauts with on-demand 3D printing capabilities in space, allowing them to avoid lengthy supply chains and giving them the freedom to create flexible electronic components when needed. The successful testing involved several parabolic flights, during which the LASED produced usable prints right on the first attempt without requiring additional trials, which is often the case with other systems.
Post-test evaluations showed that the prints had satisfactory physical properties, leading the team to consider future applications, including the printing of semiconductors during upcoming parabolic flights. Mahjouri-Samani envisions the potential for sending the LASED printer into space due to its stability, precision, and efficiency.
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