The space version of the 3D printer prototype passed the microgravity flight test

On June 19, officials at Space Manufacturing Company announced on June 19 that they tested three prototypes of 3D printers designed for the International Space Station during four brief microgravity flights. Mike Chen, strategic officer at space-manufacturing company, said in a statement: "Now that we have proven that our 3D printers can work in microgravity, next year we will prove they will be able to print on the International Space Station."

The 3D printer uses a technique called additive manufacturing that builds objects layer by layer using polymers, metals, composites and other materials. The 3D printer will be sent to Orbital Station in August 2014 as part of a collaborative project between space-manufacturing companies and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The main goal of this project is to help launch manufacturing capabilities beyond the Earth, proponents of the project claim that it can help humans achieve a life easier and cheaper for the solar system.

Space Manufacturing's 3D printer will enter the International Space Station in 2014 and now it has passed a series of microgravity tests.

Noah Paul-Gin, head of micro-gravity testing at space-manufacturing company, said in a statement: "Our 3D printer designed for the ISS enables astronauts to reduce their dependence on the planet by enabling them to create about 30% space spares for space stations and Other Various Objects. "In a recent test, a prototype 3D printer took a modified Boeing 727. Officials at space-manufacturing companies claim that in a two-hour flight, a 32-minute parabolic flight takes place to achieve microgravity. Officials at space-manufacturing companies claim the company conducted a parabolic flight test in 2011 to help design the prototype for the current version of the 3D printer.

NASA seems optimistic about the feasibility of 3D printing. For example, NASA recently also funded the development of a 3D printer prototype of space food that uses cheap raw materials to make space-based food that has a longer shelf life. NASA officials claim the "3D Pizza Printer" can provide astronauts with space travel food for a long time, say a 500-day hard journey to and from Mars.