RE: 3-D Printers: Advancing Us Into The Space Age

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The real jump in the space exploration part will be when they can "print" what they need on the fly. For example, if they land on Mars and then are able to print a building when they get there. Or spare parts. Or whatever. If they are able to just bring raw materials, or better yet, gather them from whatever planet they're on, and program the machines to print what they need, then the future will really be now.

You would think they'd be able to get that all put together before they leave this planet, but they probably will need some major testing "printing" in zero-gravity or similar situations. Which is one of the reasons I can't believe we haven't established a manned base on the moon yet. You would think there could be a ton of research done there and it's not very far away....

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For example, if they land on Mars and then are able to print a building when they get there.

My guess is, with the advancements in the material sciences we end up seeing buildings "grown".

Also, there is already a 3-D printer on the ISS that is used to print out tools and parts. So they are already getting there on that end.

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Well that's good. I didn't know that. It totally makes sense though. I wonder how much of an impact printing with zero gravity makes? You would think that since it's all programmed in that the machine could print it however it needs to be printed, but the "stress" of gravity has to make some sort of difference in how they perform. It's good it's being tested.

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