International Space Station’s 3D Printer Just Made Its First Tool

The International Space Station’s 3D printer has made its first tool - a spanner that astronauts can use for maintenance work while in orbit.

The tool features a built-in fastening clip to stop it from floating off while off in microgravity.

The space station’s second 3D printer - known as the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) - is more advanced than the first machine to be sent off into orbit.

Created by California-based company Made In Space, the 3D printer is specially built to work in zero gravity and printed its first space tool in partnership with US DIY store Loew’s.

In future, astronauts will be able to print tools and components in space, so that they won’t need to wait for vital equipment to be sent up from Earth.

NASA has since used the machine to print out a multi-purpose tool designed by student as part of a competition.

Designed by Alabama-based student Robert Hillan, the 3D-printed device features multiple tools in one unit, including different sized wrenches, drives to attach sockets and a wire stripper.

Now that it’s up and running, the 3D printer has around six months’ worth of printing jobs lined up to tackle.

Image credit: Made In Space