Mars: Can be 3D printed with Mars minerals and metals

To be able to produce space missions by 3d printing spare parts is crucial. However, it seems possible to exploit the resources present on other planets to, through techniques of additive manufacturing, new components if necessary. Although these techniques are based on the dust may be affected by microgravity differently than techniques based on:extrusion.

Researchers at Washington State University tried an amount of Martian regolith (in varying percentages in the range of 5-100%), a powder designed to resemble the rock of Mars, with some titanium and the result was a strong material ad High performance.

In 2011, the same researchers attempted to use 3D printing to produce materials using lunar regolite, demonstrating that this project was feasible. Since then, this technology has been adopted by the various space agencies.

In this study, a 3D printer was used that uses the powder with which the mixture of regolite and a is formed. titanium alloy. The material, after being laser heated to 2000°C, was used to produce objects of various shapes and sizes. Once cooled, they were tested for durability and resistance.

Materials produced with small amounts of regolite were found to be very strong, while materials produced with large amounts of regolite were very weak and brittle. Succeed in producing spare parts by: native material it is very important in future missions, especially those with crew, because taking all necessary equipment from home is complex and expensive. And in the case of forgetting, it is not possible to go back for anything.