Robust and refrigerator-like, the ‘Refabricator’ is poised to lead NASA’s recycling initiative for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Set to launch 2018, the machine is capable of crunching plastic parts back into raw materials, and 3D printing them anewas tools and spare parts.
Preparing for “space at a premium”
NASA已向总部位于西雅图的太空技术公司（Space Technology Company）授予了大约75万美元Tethers Unlimited Inc.
美国宇航局马歇尔太空飞行中心（Marshall Space Flight Center）的空间制造业经理Niki Werkheiser将测试该机器，并评论“当我们开始向低地轨道以外的目的地推出人类时，空间将处于溢价。”
“在航天器上的所有内容中发送替换零件或工具根本是不可行的，而从地球上进行补给是成本和时间的刺激性。备用器将是展示可持续物流模型以制造，回收和重用零件和废料的关键。”
“The next generation of space systems”
虽然还没有提及备用器re-purposing biological materials, like yeast,into 3D printer filament, the machine will also be capable of reusing and 3D printing metal – a technology that is yet to take off in space.
Rob Hoyt, CEO of Tethers, comments, “The Refabricator demonstration is a key advance toward our vision of implementing a truly sustainable, in-space manufacturing ecosystem,”
“Astronauts could use this technology to manufacture and recycle food-safe utensils, and turn what is now inconvenient waste into feedstock to help build the next generation of space systems.”
“我们认为，重复废物可以降低NASA和私人太空探索任务的成本和风险。”
最终边界上的无限可能性
Aboard the ISS, the Refabricator will work alongside Made In Space’s Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF),contributing to the development of an off-world FabLab.Werkheiser解释说：“ Fablab将允许宇航员从零件目录中选择他们想要或需要的东西，然后只需按下按钮即可制作。”
Eventually, the lab will be able to 3D print complex and multi-material parts on demand, a key development for applications both on Earth and in space.
A similar reduce, reuse, recycle project using plastic on Earth is3Devo的SHR3D IT硬件,由3D打印行业预览于2016年Formnext。
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特色图像：NASA和TETHERS UNLIMITED INC.备用式雷克勒回收器和3D打印机，应在ISS 2018上发布。照片通过：NASA/MSFC/Emmett给出
