NASA has recently been doing experiments with 3D printing in space. In December 2014, they printed twenty objects on a printer in the International Space Station. Nineteen of them (13 different objects) were pre-programmed into the printer before launch, but one of them was special: it was sent into space electronically. This is the first time a tool has been sent to space in such a way, and its printing was a success.
The ratchet wrench that NASA sent to the station was designed by Noah Paul-Gin, and is 11.38 cm by 3.28 cm in size. It won’t be used in space – it is a test to see if “e-mailing” usable tools into space is possible.
The wrench, along with the other objects 3D-printed in space, will be returned to Earth and tested. If it is sound, this may completely change the way space missions are equipped. If tools can be made in space rather than shipped – and these could also be recycled when no longer needed – it opens many possibilities for scientific experimentation, and might even save lives in an emergency.
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