NASA to use 3D printing for making food in space

NASA to use 3D printing for making food in spaceimage courtesy TNO research

NASA has awarded anjan contractor – a mechanical engineer for the systems and materials research corporation (SMRC) – a small business innovation research contract worth 125,000 USD to develop a universal 3D printing prototype for synthesizing food. the study by the texas-based company will conduct studies to test the feasibility of using additive manufacturing for making meals in space – the first of which will be a fully edible pizza. the concept will use building blocks in replaceable powder cartridges that when combined, creates different combinations of food types. it works by first ‘printing’ a layer of dough, which is baked at the same time by a heated plate at the bottom of the machine. it then lays down a tomato base, ‘which is also stored in a powdered form, and then mixed with water and oil,’ says contractor.

the software for the creation will be open-source, and the hardware will be based on the existing open-source ‘rep rap mendel’ 3D printer. as the current NASA diet system doesn’t meet the nutritional needs and five-year shelf life required for a mission to mars or other long duration missions, contractor’s cartridges are estimated to have a shelf life of almost 30 years, which will enable longer duration space missions.

chocolate printing trialvideo courtesy anjan contractor

the 3D food printer is based on the open-source ‘rep-rap mendel’image courtesy rep rap

gastronomy diagram – how the system worksimage courtesy systems and materials research corporation

3D printing foodvideo courtesy TNO research

arrival of fresh food and supplies delivered on the international space station image © NASA

via the verge