Refabricator In-Space Recycling & 3D-Printing System
Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (AMERGINT)
Firmamentum-built ISS payload demonstrating closed-cycle recycling of plastic waste into 3D-printing feedstock for off-world manufacturing.
Technical specifications
- Mission
- Installed aboard the International Space Station in 2018
- Function
- Closed-cycle recycling and 3D-printing of plastic parts
- Applications
- Medical and food-safe manufacturing on the ISS; recyclable launch packaging materials
- Program lineage
- Firmamentum division; informed NASA FabLab metal recycling/manufacturing development
About
The Refabricator, developed by TUI’s Firmamentum division, is an in-space recycling and 3D-printing system installed aboard the International Space Station in 2018 to demonstrate closed-cycle recycling and 3D printing of plastic parts. It recycles plastic and other waste materials on orbit into feedstock for additive manufacturing, supporting NASA’s goal of reducing the cost of obtaining material for in-space manufacturing and enabling medical and food-safe manufacturing on the ISS as well as reuse of recyclable launch packaging materials. The work informed TUI’s subsequent development of metal recycling and manufacturing technology for NASA’s FabLab in-situ precision manufacturing system.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
