3D Printing Firm Testing Products’ Performance On The Moon

Israeli 3D printing firm Stratasys is sending its 3D-printed materials on an upcoming lunar mission to test their performance on the surface of the moon. 

The experiments are part of the first Space Science & Technology Evaluation Facility mission by Aegis Aerospace, a female-owned space and technology company in Houston, Texas. 

The entire endeavor falls under NASA’s Tipping Point program, which seeks companies that develop space technologies. 

The project is divided into two. The first test will assess the performance of Stratasys’ proprietary filament, which is made from thermoplastic and intended to shield against harmful radiation. 

The second test will examine how the materials perform in space, subjecting samples to moon dust and low pressure, which can lead to rapid temperature swings due to the lunar atmosphere. 

“Additive manufacturing is an important technology for space missions where every ounce of weight matters and high performance is essential,” said Rich Garrity, Stratasys’ Chief Industrial Business Officer. 

“This set of experiments will help us understand how to fully leverage 3D printing to keep people and equipment safe as we travel to the moon and beyond.”