Via Popular Mechanics:
…researchers led by Washington State University mechanical engineering professor Amit Bandyopadhyay have shown that future moon explorers might be able to fabricate new parts simply by pouring that regolith into the hopper of a 3D printer. The astronauts would then load a computer-aided design (CAD) file of the part that needs replacing and press the start button.
Made on the Moon: 3D Printing, Lunar-Style – Popular Mechanics
Points:
- “Computer simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center found that 5 percent of parts aboard the International Space Station will, at some point, break down.”
- “…first to test whether a future mission could also leave the 3D-printer feedstock at home and use material from the moon.”
- “…it would mean prospective lunar missions wouldn’t need to carry expensive-to-lift refining equipment.”
Ponder: Can this come-as-you-are approach to 3D printing be done on earth?