3D printing within NASA hasn’t been talked about extensively, other than recent reports of a 3D printer being sent to the International Space Station this
September. Other rumors have popped up about them utilizing 3D printing
(along with SpaceX) for use in space exploration. But one thing we’re
just now learning about is something that turns education on its ear. If
you ever thought printing something from space would be impossible,
NASA is about to prove you wrong.
In a recent 3d printing video , NASA demonstrated how you can take an image of a nebula from space and print it in miniature form on your own 3D printer. This opportunity all started when an astrophysicist decided to use a CAD program to print a shape model of the Homun culus Nebula. The CAD program in question was called Shape, and it allowed astrophysicists to be able to examine features on the nebula that would have been impossible just a few years ago.
That’s thanks to better scanning capability taken from superior telescopic images. In this case, 92 slices were used to put together the 3D image of the nebula. Once printed, the clarity and detail were quite amazing and gave a chance to find certain characteristics by mere feel rather than visualization. You can almost say it was the equivalent of playing God by holding something large scale from space in one’s hands.
What makes this even more incredible is the above video where NASA allows you to download the nebula image and print it out on your own. Is it the beginning of a new era in creating shape models from space and providing a new method of education for kids?
What Else Will We Be Able to Print from Space?
If NASA can print a nebula, there isn’t a doubt we’ll soon be able to print miniature shape models of planets, comets, asteroids, and all other space phenomena. We’re already at the point where scanning and printing ancient artifacts, artwork, and internal human organs are being done regularly. Some schools are starting to use those shape models to help kids learn about the world through a tangible way rather than just seeing them online or in books.
What will the reaction be when we can print out a miniature version of Earth, Mars, or even a comet? Keep in mind that the nebula above is fairly amorphous in shape and may not look all that appealing to the eye. For those who’ve always wanted to hold something from space, though, it’s the ultimate educational experience. Students can have a tangible sense of the universe as perhaps the greatest realization of what education in America can be.
With NASA so open to letting us print things from space, the concept of having the whole world in our hands may be literal within the coming year.
In a recent 3d printing video , NASA demonstrated how you can take an image of a nebula from space and print it in miniature form on your own 3D printer. This opportunity all started when an astrophysicist decided to use a CAD program to print a shape model of the Homun culus Nebula. The CAD program in question was called Shape, and it allowed astrophysicists to be able to examine features on the nebula that would have been impossible just a few years ago.
That’s thanks to better scanning capability taken from superior telescopic images. In this case, 92 slices were used to put together the 3D image of the nebula. Once printed, the clarity and detail were quite amazing and gave a chance to find certain characteristics by mere feel rather than visualization. You can almost say it was the equivalent of playing God by holding something large scale from space in one’s hands.
What makes this even more incredible is the above video where NASA allows you to download the nebula image and print it out on your own. Is it the beginning of a new era in creating shape models from space and providing a new method of education for kids?
What Else Will We Be Able to Print from Space?
If NASA can print a nebula, there isn’t a doubt we’ll soon be able to print miniature shape models of planets, comets, asteroids, and all other space phenomena. We’re already at the point where scanning and printing ancient artifacts, artwork, and internal human organs are being done regularly. Some schools are starting to use those shape models to help kids learn about the world through a tangible way rather than just seeing them online or in books.
What will the reaction be when we can print out a miniature version of Earth, Mars, or even a comet? Keep in mind that the nebula above is fairly amorphous in shape and may not look all that appealing to the eye. For those who’ve always wanted to hold something from space, though, it’s the ultimate educational experience. Students can have a tangible sense of the universe as perhaps the greatest realization of what education in America can be.
With NASA so open to letting us print things from space, the concept of having the whole world in our hands may be literal within the coming year.
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