Posted: Wed, Nov 26, 2014, 8:10 AM ET (1310 GMT)
A 3-D printer recently installed on the International Space Station successfully produced its first component this week. The printer, developed by California company Made In Space, produced a rectangular faceplate component, with company and NASA logos, for itself during a test run on the station Monday. The printer was flown to the station on a commercial resupply flight in September. NASA and Made In Space plan to print a variety of items on the printer to test its capabilities before launching a second 3-D printer to the station next year. NASA hopes that 3-D printing will allow astronauts on the ISS or future deep-space missions to print tools, space parts, and other hardware.
