Posted on 11/05/2009 7:04:22 PM PST by KevinDavis
Space explorers have yet to get their hands on the replicator of "Star Trek" to create anything they might require. But NASA has developed a technology that could enable lunar colonists to carry out on-site manufacturing on the moon, or allow future astronauts to create critical spare parts during the long trip to Mars.
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Then again, it might not.
sounds like the latest iteration of 3D stereolithography, very cool.
Dave Barry once commented that if a “Holo-Deck” is ever developed, the human race would be wiped out shortly after “Holo-Porn” was introduced.
lets build a Scimitar class ship.
I always liked the cloaking Romulan ships myself.
I’ve been watching 3D printer tech for almost a decade now, and it’s come a long way.
My early predictions were that they’d eventually used frequently in certain retail outlets, like auto parts stores. They’ll no longer need to keep small plastic or plastic/circuit board parts on hand — they’ll just print them for you when needed.
Desktop Factory is promising printers affordable enough to be common in homes within the next few years.
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