SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Cosmonauts release 3D-printed satellite

The world's first satellite made with a 3D printer has been set free from the International Space Station.

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Spacewalking cosmonauts have set free the world's first satellite made with a 3D printer.

Russians Fyodor Yurchikhin and Sergey Ryazanskiy ventured outside the International Space Station on Thursday and released five nanosatellites by hand.

The casing of the first one tossed overboard was made entirely with a 3D printer. Researchers want to see how 3D-made parts weather the space environment. The others have traditional spacecraft parts.

They're expected to orbit for six months.

One commemorates the 60th anniversary of the world's first satellite, Sputnik 1, launched October 4, 1957. Another pays tribute to Russia's father of rocketry, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world