Engineering company Made In Space, known for sending the first 3D printer to the International Space Station (ISS), is actively expanding the capabilities of in-space manufacturing. Their focus includes repurposing waste plastic and potentially using moon dirt as feedstock for 3D printing. This advancement is a step towards enabling astronauts to utilize available materials in space, such as lunar regolith (moon dirt), to construct facilities on the moon, possibly including habitats or infrastructure for rovers.
The MIS Recycler, a device developed by Made In Space, is designed to recycle polymers into filament for use in the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), a 3D printer operating on the ISS since 2016. This technology could allow the reprocessing of waste and 3D printed objects back into a feedstock, which can then be used to create new parts or tools in space. The idea is to enhance in-orbit manufacturing capabilities by utilizing available resources efficiently, reducing the need to transport materials from Earth.
Moreover, Made In Space is also involved in the Redwire Regolith Print project, aiming to demonstrate the potential of using lunar regolith as a material for 3D printing. The project is significant for future colonization efforts, as it explores the possibility of building structures on the moon using local materials. This approach could reduce the need for transporting heavy and costly materials like concrete or steel to extraterrestrial bodies.