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ISS crew gets new ratchet -- over email — Parallax Forums

ISS crew gets new ratchet -- over email

Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
edited 2014-12-21 18:18 in General Discussion
http://news.yahoo.com/iss-crew-gets-ratchet-over-email-184154726.html
There may be no corner hardware store at the International Space Station, but that doesn't mean the astronauts can't get what they need.

In a first, the space station crew was able to craft a new tool in space, using their specially designed Zero-G 3D printer and a design emailed from the ground.

The tool, a ratchet, was designed by Made in Space, the California company that created the 3D printer on board the orbiting space lab.

Comments

  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-12-21 00:12
    Sorry, but I began to have doubts what they are really doing up there when they got their latte maker.

    It seems to me that if they really needed a ratchet, they would have one on hand rather than turning to a 3D printer for one.

    It sounds like they are accessorizing the ISS with gadgets that need media exposure. Next will be a blurb about the latest and greatest in spaceman's underwear by some designer brand.

    We have come a long way in space marketing since the days of instant orange juice.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2014-12-21 01:30
    Do they have Arduinos up there as well? Must be a HackerSpaceStation! :)
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2014-12-21 02:38
    I for one welcome our 3D printed Spacefaring overlords...
    Or something like that...
    (Readers of the forum on TheRegister.co.uk will 'get it')

    Anyway, I can't understand what's so difficult about printing in zero G that you need a specially-designed printer?

    I mean, if you can print upside down, why not also in space?

    http://youtu.be/P3eYgME3DiQ
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-12-21 03:54
    Gadgetman wrote: »
    I for one welcome our 3D printed Spacefaring overlords...
    Or something like that...
    (Readers of the forum on TheRegister.co.uk will 'get it')

    Anyway, I can't understand what's so difficult about printing in zero G that you need a specially-designed printer?

    I mean, if you can print upside down, why not also in space?

    http://youtu.be/P3eYgME3DiQ

    Other peoples money at work.
    You just have to spend a lot more ;-)
  • Dave HeinDave Hein Posts: 6,347
    edited 2014-12-21 05:43
    At 100 billion dollars, ISS is the second biggest waste of money that the US Space program has ever seen. The Space Shuttle was the biggest waste at almost 200 billion dollars. The US manned space program would be so much further along if we would have just continued on with the evolution of the Apollo rockets.
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2014-12-21 06:13
    The Space Shuttle was a good idea on paper...

    Then certain agencies(not mentioning which, as I hate dodging black helicopters... ) had certain requests, such as being capable of acheiving a very high orbit(something believe they only did once... )
    Not only does that require more fuel, but the structure had to be further reinforced because of the extra mass, which again upped the fuel requirements...
    Try imagining what it takes to launch it into a Polar orbit...
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-12-21 18:18
    The old Seinfeld misquote "Fax me some halibut" is no longer just a punch line. Besides emailing hardware files to make tools, modern technology has also produced 3D food printers which can make a variety of foods from any type of data file.

    Can someone please beam me some borscht?
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