The 3D printed ultraviolet telescope of the Italian Scientific Research Center is used on the International Space Station

China3D printingNet, used by the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics3D printingTo make the mechanical structure of the ultraviolet telescope, which has recently been sent to the International Space Station (ISS).
In the next three years, the Italian Space Agency and the Russian Space Agency will use3D printingMini-EUSO telescope to analyze the ultraviolet radiation of the International Space Station. The purpose of this project is to better understand cosmic rays and lay the technical foundation for future space station missions.

“Use Stratasys FDM in the entire production process of Mini-EUSO’s mechanical structure 3D printingIt allows us to reduce the overall cost of the project,” said Marco Ricci, chief researcher at Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati INFN.
“For me, this is a result I can’t imagine, I learned from3D printingI never thought of it. “


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The Earth-side window of the Russian Zvezda module of Mini-EUSO facing the International Space Station” alt=”
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The Earth-side window of the Russian Zvezda module of Mini-EUSO facing the International Space Station” width=”620″ height=”313″ />

3D printingThe Mini-EUSO faces the Earth-side window of the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station. Image courtesy of JEO-EUSO Progam.

3D printingSpace telescope

The space telescope is sent to the International Space Station to create a high-resolution map of the Earth in the ultraviolet range (300-400 nm). In order to do this successfully, the device must be able to withstand the mechanical stress and vibration of a Soyuz rocket launched into space.

INFN team uses Stratasys’ Fortus 450mc 3D printingThe machine and ULTEM 9085 materials create a structure that can meet stringent aerospace and ISS certification requirements. Facts have proved that the formed telescope mechanical frame is lighter than the aluminum frame and has better internal electrical insulation than its predecessor.

Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) has multiple Stratasys FDM machines in its Italian base, and recently installed the PolyJet function. According to Ricci, LNF researchers used the technology to reduce costs by one-tenth and reduce development time by about a year.
Mini-EUSO has a high time resolution of 2.5 us, so it can detect various ultraviolet phenomena in the earth’s atmosphere. After successfully installing it on the ISS’s Russian low-orbit Zvezda module, the data has been sent back to Earth for analysis.

Ricci added: “We are now analyzing the first batch of data recorded by Mini-EUSO and the results are very promising. From a researcher’s point of view, I am very proud of the way the project was executed and very excited about the achievements. .It’s clear to me now3D printingHow to make a significant contribution to the future success of scientific research and technological progress. “



A flight model of the Mini-EUSO space telescope. Filmed through the JEM-EUSO program.

Additive manufacturing on the International Space Station

3D printingTechnology has been applied in various ways to optimize operations on the ISS and advance its research goals.
California-based global manufacturer Space Manufacturing (MIS) was awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in May 2018 to develop its Vulcan Hybrid 3D printingmachine. The system is compatible with more than 30 different materials, covering polymers and metals, and can produce durable, high-precision parts on the track.

MIS and Brazilian petrochemical company Braskem created for ISS in October 20193D printingPlastic recycling facility. The “Braskem Recycling Station” aims to improve the sustainability of the station’s manufacturing capacity and reduce supply missions from the earth.

Israel3D printingThe aircraft manufacturer Nanodimension received funding approval from the Israel Innovation Agency in May 2019 to develop a radio frequency (RF) space system for the International Space Station.The project cooperated with the Florida communications company Harris Corporation, using its ground satellite tracking station and3D printingContact the RF system.

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