Additive Manufacturing in Space

The International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) U.S. National Laboratory held an Additive Manufacturing in Space Workshop virtual event on July 28, 2020, organized and sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes).), manager of the ISS National Lab.

The workshop objectives were to determine pathways for additive manufacturing in microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. to potentially produce materials with enhanced properties and to determine how additive manufacturing on the ISS can advance terrestrial manufacturing, in-space industrial production, and in-situ resource utilization.

This report summarizes key points and discussions from the main presentations and each breakout session and outlines several potential areas for near- and long-term additive manufacturing investigations on the ISS.

Download this Report.