Do you think that we can make everything we need from materials found in space? Planetary Resources believes that our future of space colonization and industrialization can be visualized.
An asteroid mining company called Planetary Resources has goals to “expand the economy of humanity into space through the use and pursuit of resources”.
What does it means? Well they developed the first metal print made from asteroid metals in collaboration with 3D Systems. At the CES 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada, they revealed the object on the Engadget stage.
The CEO of Planetary Resources said that their final goal is to one day be able to mine the infinite resources that space has to offer just like we have shipping and commerce going on between all countries and continents on our planet, their vision is space to be another place for it.
To prove what can they do at the moment, they 3D printed this geometric shape and it was on display to show what may be possible in the future of space.
The object is spacecraft prototype and was 3D printed from actual asteroid. The asteroid used for the printed materials was found from the Campo Del Cielo impact close to Argentina, and it’s composition is nickel,cobalt and iron which are similar materials to refinery grade steel. The asteroid was pulverized, powdered and processed on 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) ProX DMP 320 metals 3D printer. The final design is example of what can be created from 3D printer in zero gravity environment.
Today space travel is impossible. It’s same like you want to travel from New york to Los Angeles with one fuel tank while storing 100% of your consumables. There are around 16 000 near earth asteroids that are rich in resources used for fuel and sustain life in space, creating new paradigm for space travel. Planetary Resources mission is to use those asteroids so we can travel in our system.
Here is a video where it is explained in details.
What do you think, is it possible?
21 Century Issue 
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