Nasa turns to students for 3D printed ‘expandables’

The Nasa has launched a new challenge for students to design an expandable object for astronauts that can be printed using the newest 3D printer onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

To celebrate the arrival of the first expandable habitat to the ISS and the launch of the first commercial 3D printer to space, the ASME Foundation and Nasa have issued a brand new Future Engineers challenge.

The “Think Outside the Box” challenge asks students to design an object for astronauts that can be printed within the bounds of the newest 3D printer on the space station (10cm x 10cm x 14 cm), but can be assembled or expanded to become larger than that box, the Nasa said.

In space exploration, scientists and engineers often strive to make more from less.

Smaller rocket payloads are needed to save cargo space and fuel, while sustainable technologies are needed to reduce, reuse and recycle what is brought to space.

Nasa’s advanced exploration systems division pioneers new approaches for rapidly developing prototype systems, demonstrating key capabilities, and validating operational concepts for future human missions beyond low-Earth orbit.

Two demonstrations of such pioneering space technologies include the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) and Made In Space’s Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF).

BEAM is a module made up of layers of fabric that will be expanding after it is installed. It is designed to test and validate expandable habitat technology, paving the way for future habitats on deep space missions.