Tomsk Polytechnic University has introduced the first Russian 3D printer capable of operating in space under microgravity, a feat highlighted by the university’s press service. This breakthrough marks a significant step for on‑orbit manufacturing, enabling astronauts to produce essential components directly in space rather than relying on Earth‑supplied parts.
At present, two flight units produced under collaboration with RSC Energia have been delivered to the customer. One of these printers is slated to be deployed on the International Space Station in June 2022, where Russian cosmonauts will use it to fabricate parts necessary to keep the station’s systems functioning. This capability promises to reduce downtime and improve mission resilience by cutting the lead times for critical hardware in space.
The development process stretched over more than three years. Engineers from Tomsk Polytechnic University tackled the central challenge of creating a device that could operate reliably in microgravity while allowing astronauts to manufacture small parts quickly and directly at the station. The goal was to minimize the need for launches of spare components and to empower crew members to respond to equipment maintenance in real time.
A key hurdle in the design was adapting 3D printing to the absence of gravity, which normally aids layer adhesion during part formation on Earth. In microgravity, the traditional layering process can behave differently, potentially compromising part integrity. The team had to rethink the printer’s architecture and the printing workflow to ensure consistent results under space conditions. The result is a printer configured to handle the unique physical environment of a spacecraft, maintaining precision while ensuring safety and reliability for crew operations.
The printer builds objects from a polymer material called polylactic acid, a widely used and well-characterized thermoplastic. This material choice balances strength and lightness, producing parts that are sturdy enough for integration with station equipment while keeping the overall print weights manageable for space operations. The modular design supports a range of small to moderately sized components, aligning with the onboard needs of complex life support, power, and data systems on orbit.
The printer operates within a clearly defined, sealed work chamber. This enclosure is equipped with advanced thermal control, ventilation, circulation, and air purification to maintain a safe atmosphere inside the unit and across the workspace. Such features serve two critical purposes: they protect the crew from any polymer decomposition byproducts and they safeguard the station’s environment from particulates and fumes that could arise during the printing process. This level of containment and environmental management distinguishes these units from conventional terrestrial 3D printers, which typically lack integrated life-support‑grade safety systems. The physical footprint of the device is compact enough to be described as being around the size of a standard CRT television, making it a practical addition to a spacecraft or space station module.