研究人員透露:中國首臺空間3D打印機誕生

Researchers with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have successfully developed the country's first space 3D printer.

根據日前消息，中科院科研人員成功研製出了我國首臺空間3D打印機。

Scientists with both CAS's Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology and the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization were behind the two-year-long project.

中科院重慶綠色智能技術研究院和空間應用工程與技術中心的科學家們，經過努力終於攜手完成了這一耗時兩年的項目。

Duan Xuanming, head of 3D printing research center under CAS's Chongqing Institute, said the printer has finished 93 zero gravity flying tests in France. The printer can produce bigger space parts than the one sent to the International Space Station by NASA late last month.

據中科院重慶研究院3D打印技術研究中心主任段宣明介紹，該打印機已經在法國完成了93次失重測試。據悉，該打印機可打印的太空零部件尺寸超過NASA上月底運至國際空間站的3D打印機。

The device could help China build a space station in 2020 and facilitate its operation and maintenance thereafter, said Duan.

段宣明表示，該設備將爲我國2020年完成空間站建造及後期運營維護提供幫助。

In-orbit 3D printing is effective in helping with space station repair and maintenance and is essential for future deep space exploration.

在軌3D打印製造是解決空間站維修的有效方法，對未來進行的深空探索極爲重要。

It can cut the operation cost of space stations and reduce their dependence on ground supplies, he added.

此外，段宣明還補充說道，該技術能減少空間站運營成本，同時降低其對地面補給的依賴性。