Metal Produced in Space Returns to Earth for Testing
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Feb 28, 2025

For the first time, a metal 3D-printed component created in space has returned to Earth for analysis. The part, manufactured aboard the International Space Station (ISS) using ESA's Metal 3D Printer, has now arrived at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands for detailed examination.

This cutting-edge printer, developed by Airbus in collaboration with its partners, was installed in the Columbus module of the ISS by ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen during his Huginn mission in January 2024. The facility achieved its inaugural print in June 2024, producing an 'S'-shaped curved structure. Later that summer, it successfully printed its first complete sample, followed by a second sample in December.

The first printed sample will now undergo rigorous testing at ESTEC's Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory to compare its properties with those of similar samples printed under Earth's gravity. The second sample is set to be analyzed by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

While plastic 3D printers have been operational on the ISS for some time, this milestone represents the first successful metal printing in microgravity. The ability to produce metal components in space is a significant step toward enabling sustainable deep-space missions, reducing dependence on resupply missions, and empowering astronauts to fabricate essential parts, repair equipment, and manufacture tools as needed.

Related Links
Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory at ESTEC
Space Technology News - Applications and Research