© предоставлено пресс-службой ТПУ
© предоставлено пресс-службой ТПУ
TOMSK, Nov 10 – RIA Tomsk. The 3D-printer for space which is
created by the Tomsk scientists can become a prototype for the regular
equipment of the Martian and lunar complexes, the chief of the manned space
complexes design department of S.P. Korolev PAO Rocket and Space Corporation
Energia (RSC Energia) Alexey Bideev told journalists on Thursday.
Earlier it was reported that the scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University
(TPU) and Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science of the Siberian
Branch of the Russian Academy of Science (ISPMS SB RAS) create the 3D-printer
for work on spaceships and in outer space. It was supposed that work will come
to the end in 2016-2017.
The director of ISPMS Sergey Psakhye told on Thursday to journalists that the
prototype of the printer is already built. The experimental prototype of the
device has to be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) until the
end of 2018. Now the device is focused on work with polymers, however in the
future work with other materials including reinforced will be possible.
"What in 2018 will be realized as an experiment after 2020 will go as
regular system for our lunar and Martian complexes", – Bideev added.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
He noted that the 3D-printer and materials for the printing have to meet high
safety requirements, not to poison air onboard the ship and not to cause
allergic reaction in astronauts. Unlike terrestrial rooms, in space it is
impossible to equip a production extract and system of filters.
According to TPU, the printer will be necessary for the printing of spare parts
and tools during long-term space flights. "Using on the ISS the additive
technologies will allow to print such details directly at the station. The
astronaut receives a 3D-model of a detail and the program for its printing from
Earth and can make a detail when there is a requirement in it", – noted in
the press service of the university.