A new research review lays out how 3D printed, regolith based concretes could enable lunar and Martian structures — and where the toughest engineering gaps remain.
space
CosmicMaker Targets Growing Space Manufacturing Market With Autonomous 3D Printer
Photocentric’s CosmicMaker project moves forward.
3D Printing Continues to Reshape Rocket Engine Design as Agnikul Tests New Engine
Yet another company has developed a fully 3D-printed rocket engine. This time it is Agnikul.
Prusa Expands Into Aerospace Applications With New Space-Ready 3D Printing Material
Prusa Research has just released a new filament product designed for use in space.
Design of the Week: Spooletarium
This week’s selection is the Spooletarium by Printables contributor M4NU.
China Tests Metal 3D Printing System in Orbit Using Qingzhou Spacecraft
China has tested a metal 3D printing system in orbit.
Someone Just Patented 3D Printing Moon Dirt
A surprising new patent proposes an end to end “field factory” that can turn regolith, sand, and scrap into parts using spectroscopy plus automation.
3D Printed Pipe Embeds Heater And Sensor For Space
A European team demonstrated a 3D printed, spacecraft-grade pipe segment with an embedded heater and temperature sensor to streamline thermal loop integration.
Metal Additive Manufacturing in CO2 Shows Promise for Mars Missions
New research suggests laser melting metal parts in a CO2 atmosphere could be “good enough” for Mars, and maybe cheaper on Earth too.
From Mountains to Micro-Layers: Italy’s Abruzzo Region Prints the Future of Food
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how in Abruzzo, a region better known for sheep trails and red wine, Italian researchers are 3D printing plant-based foods designed for Earth, orbit, and beyond.
KAMIC Develops Rapid 3D Print Process for High-Strength Titanium Pressure Vessels
Researchers have been able to produce an extremely strong 3D-printed titanium pressure vessel.
Mixing Moon Dust with PEEK Could Reduce Warping and Improve 3D Printed Part Strength
Researchers have been experimenting with mixing lunar regolith with PEEK for 3D printing.
Researchers Identify Optimal 3D-Printed Dome Design for Lunar Crater Habitats
Researchers have figured out the correct way to 3D print domes over lunar craters.
Chinese Researchers Develop Lunar Regolith 3D Printer for Future Moon Construction
Researchers have developed a lunar regolith 3D printer.
LEAP 71 to Design 3D Printable Methalox Rocket Engines for Aspire Space
LEAP 71 announced what is likely their biggest deal ever: making rocket engines for Aspire Space.
NASA Investigates Catastrophic 3D Printed Rocket Engine Failure During Hot Fire Test
Researchers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center have analyzed what is likely the most spectacular 3D print failure ever seen.
University of Glasgow Opens NextSpace Testrig to Simulate Harsh Space Conditions for 3D Printed Parts
Another big step towards space-based 3D printing has taken place in Scotland.
LEAP71 to Develop 3D Printable Starship-Class Rocket Engines Using Noyron Platform
LEAP71 announced plans to use their computational engineering platform to design massive 3D printable rocket engines.
Researchers Demonstrate 3D Printing Lunar Regolith Without Binders Using SLM Technology
Researchers have been investigating the possibility of 3D printing lunar regolith — without any other materials involved.
Design of the Week: Mont Mercou on Mars
This week’s selection is the Mont Mercou on Mars 3D model by Simeon Schmauß of LPG Nantes.
Photocentric Develops CosmicMaker, a High-Speed Resin 3D Printer for Space Missions
I had no idea Photocentric was developing a space-based resin 3D printer.
ESA’s First Metal 3D Print in Space Returns to Earth for Scientific Analysis
ESA announced that the first metal 3D print ever made in space is now back on Earth.
NASA and Fortify Partner to 3D Print Cost-Effective Antenna for Space Applications
Fortify helped NASA 3D print an inexpensive antenna for space applications.
Rosotics Shifts Focus to Space Construction with HALO 3D Printing Technology
Rosotics is undertaking a major shift in strategy, and this could affect not only 3D printing, but our future in outer space.
How Relativity Space’s Strategy Pivot May Affect Perception of 3D Printing
It seems that Relativity Space’s dreams of a 3D-printed rocket may be heading sideways.
Computational Engineering Breakthrough: LEAP 71 Validates Aerospike Rocket Design
LEAP 71 performed a monumental real-life validation of their computational engineering approach with a rocket engine hot fire.
NASA and GrabCAD Launch Bioreactor Design Contest for Deep Space Food Production
We don’t normally post stories on design contests, but this one is different: it’s from NASA.
From Electric Skin to Space Exploration: Ganit Goldstein’s 3D-Printed Smart Fabrics
I had a chat with Ganit Goldstein, who is researching advanced fabric 3D printing.
Additive Manufacturing Demonstrates Additive Advantages with Complex Satellite Antenna Cluster
We had a look at some interesting metal 3D prints made by Additive Industries.
“We 3D Print Lots of Things!”: How Rocket Lab is Redefining Space Technology with Additive Manufacturing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how Rocket Lab is transforming from a launch provider into a space technology powerhouse by integrating 3D printing across its operations, pioneering advances in space infrastructure and manufacturing.
LEAP 71 Achieves Breakthrough with 3D Printed Aluminum Rocket Engine
Another milestone in 3D printing has been achieved: 3D printing a rocket engine from aluminum.
NASA Explores Laser Welding in Space: Implications for 3D Printing
NASA is launching a new scientific research project that may impact future 3D printing.
Rocket Lab to Study Bringing Rock Samples from Mars for NASA
Using vertically integrated technologies as part of the Mars Sample Return Program.
Design of the Week: Pillars of Creation
This week’s selection is the Pillars of Creation by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Relativity Space Shifts Focus Away from 3D Printed Rockets with Terran-R Redesign
It seems that Relativity Space has abandoned their goal of 3D printing an entire rocket.
Brinter AM’s Bioprinter to Test 3D Printing of Cell Constructs in Space
Brinter AM is going to outer space.
Virtual Foundry’s New Basalt Moon Dust Filament Brings Lunar Surface to Your Prints
We had an interesting chat with Virtual Foundry about their latest material.
A New Way to Identify Potential 3D Print Applications?
A novel application of 3D printing could help identify additional ways to use the technology.
LEAP 71 Proves Automated Rocket Engine Design: A Breakthrough in Computational Engineering
There’s been a major development for 3D printed aerospace: LEAP 71 has proven the viability of automatically designed rocket engines.
The Role of 3D Printing in the Skyrocketing Space Market
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi discuss how 3D printing has the ability to transform the rapidly growing space market.
ESA’s Experiment Proves Feasibility of Metal 3D Printing in Weightless Conditions
There’s metal 3D printing taking place in space!
The Critical Role for 3D Printing in Space: Integrated Cooling Metal Parts
A new metal 3D printed part illustrates the importance of the technology for space applications.
From Orbit to Object: Transforming Space Probe Paths into 3D Prints
A new research paper proposes a method to use interplanetary space probe trajectories as a method to generate unique 3D printable designs.
CNSA’s Experimental 3D Printed Storage Tank Proves Successful in Lunar Mission
There was an interesting 3D print development from the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Feeding the Final Frontier: How 3D Printing is Redefining Space Food
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore 3D printing for space food production.
Leap71 and Solideon Partner to Develop Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer for Space Manufacturing
Leap71 has struck another very interesting strategic agreement to help develop a large-scale metal 3D printer for industry.
Stratasys To Test Materials on the Lunar Surface in 2025
Stratasys announced a deal to send their 3D prints to the lunar surface.
NASA Seeks Volunteers for Year-Long Mars Simulation in 3D Printed Habitat
NASA announced a new call for volunteers to live in a 3D printed Mars habitat.
Design of the Week: Planet Mars Tactile Model
This week’s selection is the Planet Mars Tactile Model by the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Valencia.
Addup and Airbus Deliver First Metal 3D Printer to the ISS: Testing Begins
Addup joins the orbital 3D printer club with the latest launch to the International Space Station.
Sidus Space Launches Multi-Material 3D Printing Division for Space Industry
Sidus Space announced a new division dedicated to 3D printing parts for space missions.
New Chemical Breakthrough Paves Way for Metal 3D Printing on the Moon
There’s been an interesting chemical development that may affect 3D printing in the far future.
NASA Innovates with 3D Printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine
NASA announced they’ve 3D printed a very different type of rocket engine.
ORNL Researchers Explore 3D Printing for Lunar Rover Wheels
Researchers at ORNL have been 3D printing prototype lunar wheels.
The Rising Role of 3D Printing in Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi take a closer look at BAE Systems’ recent acquisition of Ball Aerospace and how 3D printing can play a role.
Exploring ‘The Smart Mission’: NASA’s Lessons in Knowledge and Project Management
Charles R. Goulding reflects on “The Smart Mission” and what we can takeaway from studying successful organizations as well as private industry disruptors.
Redwire 3D Bioprints a Human Knee Meniscus in Space
Redwire announced they’ve been able to 3D bioprint a human knee meniscus in space.
DLR’s ‘3D-LoCoS’ Project: Innovating Low Cost Space Components through 3D Printing
The German Institute of Materials Research at DLR has been working on ways to 3D print space propulsion systems.
The Curved Advantage: 3D Printed Electronics for Space Applications
NASA announced a successful test of 3D printed electronics in space.
Incus and ESA Collaborate for Lunar 3D Printing: Recycling Scrap Metal for Moon Base
Incus has completed a project that verified the possibility of 3D printing metal objects from scraps on the Moon.
NASA’s CHAPEA Program: Living in a 3D Printed Martian Home for a Year
Would you live in a 3D printed house for a year? NASA volunteers are doing so.
Zortrax’s ESA Project: Exploring the Power of 4D Printing
Zortrax recently completed a project for ESA that involved significant use of 4D printing.
Redefining Satellite Design with Markforged 3D Printing Solutions
Markforged 3D printing solutions were used to develop a radically new style of satellite.
Exploring the Future of 3D Printed Batteries for Lunar and Martian Missions
We spoke to a scientist developing 3D printed batteries for future space missions.
Advancements in 3D Printed Rockets: Tianbing’s Success and Relativity Space’s Shift
Two key developments in additively manufactured rockets occurred this week, one positive, and the other seemingly negative.
The Age of Lightweight Smallsats: How 3D Printing is Shaping the Future of Satellite Technology
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider the use of 3D printing technology to expand smallsat applications.
Relativity Space Hits Milestone Despite Mission Failure of Terran 1 Rocket
Relativity Space achieved their milestone this week, sort of.
NASA Announces New Research Institute Focused on Advanced Manufacturing
NASA announced the creation of a new research institute dedicated to advanced manufacturing.
Rocket Launched by UC Berkeley Students Contains 3D Printed Components
Students at UC Berkeley have launched a large rocket containing a number of 3D printed components.
3D Printing Industry Set to Take Off with Relativity Space’s Milestone Launch
Relativity Space is nearing a key milestone, and so is 3D printing.
3D Printing Implications of the L3Harris Technologies Acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi believe recent corporate moves could boost 3D printing usage.
What Can Orion AM’s Thermal Radiation Fusion 3D Printing Process Produce?
Orion AM’s Thermal Radiation Fusion 3D printing process can produce incredibly strong parts.
Investigating a Unique 3D Printing Technique on the International Space Station
An obscure experiment on board the International Space Station could be a path for a very unusual 3D printing technique.
BeeHex Is Developing a Way to 3D Print Food From Plastic
We haven’t written about BeeHex for quite some time, but it turns out they’ve been developing an unusual food 3D printing technology involving plastics.
Overcoming Outgassing and Weight Challenges with 3D Printing for Space Applications
If you think 3D printing mechanical parts is tricky, try making parts for space applications.
ICON Awarded Massive NASA Contract for Lunar 3D Printing
ICON has landed a US$57.2M contract with NASA to 3D print a Lunar 3D printing system.
The Use of Additive Manufacturing in Space: an AM Coalition Webinar
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi review a webinar focusing on use of additive manufacturing in space applications.
A Different Way To 3D Print Rockets
Firehawk Aerospace is 3D printing rockets, but not in the way you might think.
Space Startups and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at some of the many space startups now leveraging metal 3D printing.
Design of the Week: TG89 Cube
This week’s selection is the TG89 Cube by Bart Smits.
Anisoprint Signs Orbital Deal
Anisoprint signed a deal with Nanoracks to develop a space-based continuous carbon fiber 3D printing capability.
Design of the Week: Starship SN15
This week’s selection is the set of Starship 3D models by Yoan Soilen.
3D Printed Copper Rocket Engine Tested Successfully
Launcher has successfully tested a unique 3D printed copper rocket engine.
NASA’s 3D Printed Metal Alloy Breakthrough
NASA announced the development of a powerful new metal alloy that will be of specific interest by the aerospace sector.
Even More ESA Efforts on Space-Based 3D Printing Coming
The European Space Agency has significant interest in space-based 3D printing, now with yet another project launched.
AddUp Developing Space-Based Metal 3D Printer
There’s yet another 3D printer destined for the International Space Station, this time a metal 3D printer.
BEEVERYCREATIVE Completes Continuous Space 3D Printer Prototype
BEEVERYCREATIVE announced they have completed building the first prototype of their new space-based continuous 3D printer.
Using 3D Printed Catalysts To Power Rocket Engines
A PhD student in New Zealand is 3D printing catalysts to enable use of safer rocket propellants.
Life on Mars and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how buildings could be 3D printed on another planet.
Experimental Warp Drive Vehicle To Be 3D Printed?
A curious scientific discovery could lead to a 3D printed space vehicle using warp drive, according to a recent announcement.
Redwire Partners With Blue Origin for Space Manufacturing
Blue Origin announced plans for a new space station, but the plan also includes a 3D printing system.
Zortrax Hitches a Ride on WoodSat
A 3D printed electrical circuit by Zortrax is set to take off on a unique wooden satellite.
Continuous Carbon Fiber 3D Prints For Space Applications?
I’m looking at a new project by Anisoprint where parts for a proposed lunar rover were produced.
Deere vs. Cat and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at two different equipment manufacturers and how they use 3D printing technology.
Design of the Week: Crew Dragon – M3
This week’s selection is the Crew Dragon – M3 by MoreThan3D.