Space 3D printing overcomes industrial testing hurdle, paving way for manufacture of spacecraft and associated gear in zero gravity - bold future for weightless 3D printing technology in orbit
In a significant leap for the space industry, Horizon Microtechnologies has announced that its coated plastic 3D printed parts have passed stringent outgassing tests, meeting the critical ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standards for space-compatible materials. This achievement marks a milestone in the advancement of 3D printing for space applications.
The outgassing tests, conducted for vacuum facilities used for flight hardware tests and certain launcher hardware, determine the amount of volatile material released and/or reabsorbed by the tested component. This is crucial to ensure that space hardware remains uncontaminated and free from degradation in the sensitive space environment.
Horizon Microtechnologies achieved this feat by coating their 3D printed components, a process that ensures the 3D printed structures can meet the rigorous safety standards for space travel. The CEO of Horizon Microtechnologies, Andreas Frölich, expressed enthusiasm for the successful results of their development.
The world of 3D printing has evolved to a point where affordable 3D printers are available for home use. Meanwhile, in the realm of metal additive manufacturing, companies like INNOSPACE and Northrop Grumman are rapidly advancing 3D printed metal parts for rockets and satellites. While explicit references to outgassing testing for metals are less documented in recent reports, they are typically integral to space certification processes.
Renishaw and Irish Manufacturing Research are also developing improved AM process parameters for aerospace optics and high-performance alloys, likely including control over material purity and outgassing characteristics to meet space-use requirements.
These developments suggest an increasing maturity of 3D printed materials, including plastics with specialized coatings and high-grade metals/alloys, systematically undergoing outgassing tests conforming to ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standards or equivalent to ensure their suitability for space environments. This progress enables additive manufacturing to move beyond prototyping towards certified flight hardware for space missions.
While finding examples of 3D printing in space is challenging due to the volatility of 3D printed materials and the need for extreme reliability in aerospace, the potential benefits are substantial. 3D printing in space can eliminate the need to launch a rocket to the station to fabricate parts, significantly reducing costs and time.
For those interested in staying updated on the latest news, analysis, and reviews in the world of 3D printing, Tom's Hardware provides a valuable resource. You can follow them on Google News for up-to-date information. The European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C) sets material screening standards for spacecraft and associated equipment, ensuring that only the most suitable materials are used in space missions.
Intriguingly, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have already begun experimenting with 3D printing, using low-temperature plastics instead of traditional filament. The outgassing testing process also checks for cross contamination with nearby items, ensuring that the space environment remains pristine.
As the space industry continues to embrace 3D printing, we can expect to see more advancements and innovations in this exciting field. The potential for 3D printing to revolutionize space manufacturing is vast, and Horizon Microtechnologies' achievement is a significant step towards realizing this potential.
Science and technology continue to play pivotal roles in the advancement of space-and-astronomy, with Horizon Microtechnologies' achievement being a testament to this. The company's successful outgassing tests on their coated plastic 3D printed parts have demonstrated their suitability for space environments, as per the stringent ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standards.
