NASA is experimenting with 3D-printing
Future astronauts in space flights are likely to use advanced models of printers that produce a virtually everything they need - from food to rocket parts, and to make it possible to quickly and relatively cheaply. In NASA tell us that one step closer to a global goal - the use of 3D-printing technology to create all aspects of space exploration. We are not talking about using the printer and as such, they say, at any cost, but the use of 3D-printing technology in a simple manner to the astronauts in case of need could print and spare parts for the ship and a particular culinary dish. Needless space agency for nearly 10 years has been working in the field of three-dimensional printing, but some results here have started to appear a couple of years ago. On 22 August, NASA conducted a test of a number of components of rocket engines, which were manufactured by 3D-printer. Testing went well, the engine developed during the tests thrust of 20 000 pounds. With the process known as selective laser melting, which relies on a nickel-chromium alloy, NASA produced 28 injector elements in a rocket engine that operate in the fuel supply . By design, printed injectors were very similar to the injectors in a more powerful rocket engines, RS-25, which in the future will be used in the spaceship for manned missions to Mars. NASA said that in the future they intend to make greater use of 3D-printed parts to explore the corresponding production. Craig Barnett, chief engineer of the project 3D-printing at NASA, said that now his group is working to print larger elements and design of rockets and engines, except now the engineers are working on a model samples for printing elements. Barnett says it is implementing a program at NASA Space Shop, which is concentrated in the Ames Research Center in California. Here, experts are experimenting with different technologies and application areas of 3D-printing.
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