With 3D printing already playing a crucial role in the production of low-cost satellites and lighter, efficient rockets, its role in future human space travel & interplanetary colonization is critical, to say the least.
Space is the not the ultimate frontier for humans anymore, inter-planetary travel is.
This makes overcoming the high per kilogram cost of required to escape Earthâs gravity a barrier for most launches.
This can be achieved by printing lighter parts for launch vehicles by using weight optimised geometries and printing parts in space itself at the point of need, like in the International Space Station.With 3D printing already revolutionizing the space industry, increased process automation for batch series or single item production will help reduce the overall cost and production time for making satellites, rockets and other space gears like probes and drones.
This also extends to the manufacturing of space faring aircraft as well, in addition to in-space platforms, ground equipment, launch services and independent space RInter-planetary travel demands the construction of human habitats on alien worlds.
Carrying bulky pre-fabricated parts for such habitats in to space will not only inflate the budget for such inter-planetary missions, but also delay their completion.