The metal 3D printer was developed by an industrial team led by Airbus Defence and Space under a contract with the ESA, co-funded by Airbus Defence and Space. The metal 3D printer was designed to evaluate the capabilities and performance of additive technology and to perform metal disposition in 3D under sustained microgravity conditions.
On 30 January 2024, the Metal 3D Printer was successfully launched by NASA Mission NG-20 towards the International Space Station. Printing operations are expected to start in late February or early March.
The ability to manufacture spare parts directly in space, without having to transport them from Earth, will generate millions in savings.
The “Metal3D” project began in 2016 when the European Space Agency awarded the contract to Airbus Defence & Space. A key objective: To create the first metal 3D printer to safely operate under microgravity, aboard the International Space Station. AddUp has been supporting the Airbus group for over 10 years, not only with the supply of flight parts, but also on a variety of innovation projects.
The metal 3D printer will be installed in the ISS in early 2024, on board the Columbus European Science Module, alongside the other experiments carried out by European teams. Four specimens are planned to be printed by the metal 3D printer in the Columbus module and for reference and comparison, these specimens will also be printed on ground. The specimens will be returned to Earth, analyzed and compared with those produced on the ground. The aim of these experiments is to make extraterrestrial metal 3D printing viable, for example, for the manufacture of spare parts.
