How Big is the Space 3D Printing Market?

By on August 27th, 2013 in Ideas

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At the moment there are no 3D printers in space, so you’d think there’s no market for such things. 
 
We disagree. It’s possible that one of the biggest future markets for 3D printers will be beyond mother Earth, in space where the future will be built. By 3D printers. 
 
The single, most important reason we think this is simply that it is fantastically expensive to loft finished items into space, becoming even more expensive the farther you want to go. 
 
Imagine the cost of say, shipping a complete human habitat to Mars versus shipping a specialized 3D printer that could construct the majority of the structure from freely available onsite materials, then shipping only the remaining complex components for installation. This could significantly reduce the cost – and increase the probability of future space travel. 
 
Where ever we require an installation, a 3D printer suitable for the job could reduce costs. Even better, the device could continue to operate, making potentially endless products available at terribly remote locations. 
 
Who would need these specialized 3D printers? For now it may only be governmental institutions, such as NASA or ESA. But in the very near future, multiple commercial ventures are poised to make that giant leap to the beyond. 
 
They will buy space 3D printers. They will build our off-planet infrastructure with them. They will create our new worlds with them – and new markets for 3D printing. 

 

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!

2 comments

  1. Under NASA funding, a small company called Tethers Unlimited is developing methods for integrating 3D printing and robotic assembly technologies to enable spacecraft to 'print' huge antennas and other components in space. They are currently developing a device that will print hundred-meter long composite trusses for things like large solar arrays.
    SpiderFab

  2. Under NASA funding, a small company called Tethers Unlimited is developing methods for integrating 3D printing and robotic assembly technologies to enable spacecraft to 'print' huge antennas and other components in space. They are currently developing a device that will print hundred-meter long composite trusses for things like large solar arrays.
    SpiderFab

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