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Guests: Andrew Rush and Mike Snyder; Topics: Made In Space 3D printing in space, space manifesting, space stations, space settlement & lots more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.
We welcomed both Andrew Rush and Mike Snyder back to the program to discuss their company, Made In Space, and 3D printing in space on the ISS, and in the future on space developments and settlements. During the first segment of our 89 minute discussion, Andrew gave us a brief overview and introduction to Made In Space and 3D printing on the ISS. He talked about the two printers on the ISS and commercial customers for the commercial printer. Our guests were asked about the differences in a space 3D printer as compared to one on Earth. This discussion was on and off throughout most of the first segment and into the second segment.
Another topic up for discussion was the future of 3D printing in space. Future technologies, upcoming technologies, timelines, and more. Our guests were asked about the existing ISS printers and power consumption as well as vibrations plus the astronaut time needed to operate the printers. Don't miss what our guests said but the printers are mostly operated from the ground, they have low power consumption and minimized vibrations.
Dr. Doug asked several questions including inquiring as to how many objects had been made in space and were they used on the station or for demonstration purposes. Doug then referenced Andrew's recent congressional testimony saying "would it be difficult for a company like his to remain profitable if they had to pay market rates for transportation to a commercial station. What then is the conceived path to commercial viability without government support? Don't mis what Andrew said in response to Doug's inquiry. Doug then sent in a third question asking about 3D printing for space settlements wanting to know if the use of local resources could reduce the cost of establishing a lunar settlement. Make sure not to miss this discussion.
Additional questions came in during the first segment including one asking about the role of gravity in a space oriented 3D printer. Our guests had much to say about this and how they modify and design space printers and the differences with their terrestrial cousins. Note the importance of having a rigid system for a space 3D printer. We then took a call from Kim who was asking about high and low printer resolution along with multiple copies and the use of castings.
In the second segment, Susan sent in an email asking about Made In Space competition. Don't miss what our guests said about this now and for the probable future. We then talked about printers for extreme environments, their use on ships at sea and the future for printers in the ocean environment. Our guests talked about their defense and Darpa work in a very general sort of way. AI came up along with robotic assembly. Doug sent in a question asking about the business case for a lunar settlement, then Luis sent in an email asking about the possible use of space debris as feedstock for a printer. Carla from Berkeley wanted to know if today's 3D printers would be considered early versions of the Star Trek replicator and transporter. Don't miss how the three of us responded to Carla, especially regarding data storage. I then asked our guests about the 3D printer file size and uploading the files to the ISS. Later Doug called to ask about and compare both Archinaut and SpiderFab technologies.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show. You can reach both guests through me or through the Made In Space website.