© РИА Томск. 
TOMSK, Dec 8 – RIA
Tomsk, Karina Sapunova. The printer for printing of details and tools in space,
which is developed now by the Tomsk scientists, can be useful for stations on
the Moon and Mars as will allow them not to depend on deliveries from Earth,
the test-cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin said during his visit of TPU.
Earlier it was reported that scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) and Institute of Strength Physics and Materials
Science of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences create 3D-printer for
operation on spaceships and in outer space. It is supposed that the
experimental instrument shall be delivered to the International Space Station
(ISS) in 2018. It prints polymers now, but it is planned to use also other
materials including reinforced in the future.
"It is important to see strategy, the concept for
what it is created. If we say that it is necessary to create a wrench, then
there are enough wrenches there. As far as I understand it is about bases on
the Moon or on Mars <…>, and we will be able to receive 50% of these or
those details on the place and to be less dependent on deliveries by various
ships of supply and retrofitting", – Misurkin told.
© предоставлено пресс-службой ТПУ
In his opinion, it would be convenient to have
universal material like flour of which it is possible "to bake" many
types of products.
Misurkin added that his next flight to the ISS can
take place in September, 2017. "I like this idea (3D-printer), I will work
on its development with pleasure", – the astronaut marked.
Earlier it was reported that Misurkin visited Tomsk
Polytechnic University on Wednesday, December 7: met students of the university
and school students from lyceum at TPU and got acquainted with the main
developments of the higher education institution in the field of space
technologies, and also contacted the ISS from the student's Mission Control
Center.