3D Printing in Space Challenges Young Innovators to “Think Outside the Box”

In the design of an item or tool astronauts living and working on the International Space Station could use to complete a number of different tasks 

First 3D printer, Portal, to be tested onboard the International Space Station.
Credits: Made In Space

Space news (Space Education Programs: Future Engineers; 3D Printing in Space Challenges, “Think Outside the Box” challenge) – design an item that assembles, telescopes, hinges, accordions, grows, or expands to become larger than the printing bounds of the AMF 3D printer on the International Space Station – 

Made in Space CTO Jason Dunn (left) and P.I. of the 3DP Experiment Mike Snyder look to optimize the first 3D printer for space.

Junior and teen aspiring engineers recently put their thinking hats on and came up with a few tools and items star voyagers on the International Space Station will find useful. Founding member of innovative education platform Future Engineers and partner NASA issued a challenge to young innovators to “think outside the box” in solving problems astronauts (star voyagers) will face while living and working in space during the decades ahead. The challenge to design a tool or item star voyagers on the International Space Station could use to make living in a microgravity environment easier. Aspiring inventors and young innovators answered the challenge with some stunning, innovative tools and items we’re sure astronauts living and working on the space station will find valuable. You can check out the aspiring engineers and their innovative space tools here.

Testing of the Made In Space 3D printer involved 400-plus parabolas of microgravity test flights. Credit: Made In Space

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Check out all of the 3D Printing in Space Challenges issued to young innovators and aspiring engineers by NASA at Future Engineers.

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Join NASA’s journey to the beginning of space and time here.

Learn more about innovative education platform Future Engineers.