Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Military Space News .




DRAGON SPACE
3D printer making Chinese space suit parts
by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) May 08, 2015


File image.

Chinese researchers have used 3D printing technology to make a safer space suit for astronauts while spacewalking. A research center under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation used a 3D printer to create the vent pipes and the flanges connecting the pipes used on extravehicular space suit, according to a recent report from China Space News.

The vent pipe and the flange as a whole can improve the reliability and safety of the space suit, and suits can be made more efficiently. Researchers will use the technique to make more parts, says the report. The technology has been approved by the Scientific Research Training Center for Chinese Astronauts.

China plans to launch its second orbiting space lab, Tiangong-2, in 2016, and aims to put a permanent manned space station into service around 2022. Chinese astronauts have three kinds of space suit: inside-capsule suit, inside-capsule jacket and extravehicular space suit.

The inside-capsule space suit is used in case the pressure changes in the spaceship, usually during launch and landing periods. The blue and lightweight inside-capsule jacket is used during normal flight, and is more convenient for work in the spaceship or space station.

The extravehicular space suit is the most complicated, providing life support system for astronauts during spacewalks. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology has successfully developed a multi-laser metal 3D printer, enabling astronauts to print items with just one 3D printer in space.

Wang Lianfeng, senior engineer at the academy, says the 3D printing technology is suitable for making parts with complicated structures and odd shapes, such as the valves of rocket engines.

"It's very difficult to process the complicated parts by traditional methods," says Wang. For example, it takes two groups of workers, working shifts around the clock, more than two weeks to make a part of a rocket engine, but a 3D printer can do it in just 16 hours. Wang says China is on the cutting edge of 3D printing technology.

The multi-laser metal 3D printer in the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology is like a gray-colored cabinet. The 3D printer used in space is similar to regular printer in principle, but it should be smaller and lighter, and must undergo more zero gravity tests, says Wang.

There are still many difficulties to overcome in 3D printing in space. Researchers are still developing materials suitable for 3D printing and the precision of 3D printed items needs to be improved, Wang adds.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








DRAGON SPACE
Xinhua Insight: How China joins space club?
Beijing (XNA) Apr 24, 2015
Yu Jun aimed his telescope at a bright star in the night sky. A moment later, a dim light passed across it, along the very path foreign astronomy websites had forecast. "Dongfanghong-1," Yu Jun noted in his observer diary. "I can hardly believe that several decades after its launch, China's first satellite can still be seen. It's amazing," he exclaims. The launch of Dongfanghong-1 on April ... read more


DRAGON SPACE
US Missile Defense System Beset by Delays

US Awards $600 Million for NATO's Ballistic Missile Defense Kill Vehicle

Teledyne to provide missile defense test and evaluation services

Turkish firm joins NATO BMD support effort

DRAGON SPACE
N. Korea says successfully test-fired underwater ballistic missile

Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia seek ammunition, missile systems

Raytheon's SM-6 missile in full-rate production

Indian Army inducts missile system

DRAGON SPACE
Drone Aviation receives order for aerostats

Global Hawk approved for modernization

Tern Tech Offshoots Show Potential for New UAS Capabilities at Sea

US moves step closer to commercial drone use

DRAGON SPACE
German ships receiving Indra's satellite communications terminals

French-Italian military communications satellite launched

Harris wins IDIQ contract for Rifleman Radio

U.S. Special Operations Command orders MUOS-capable radios

DRAGON SPACE
Germany approves Puma IFV for full deployment

Precision guidance kit for artillery shells tests positive

Kalashnikov unveiling modernized AK-47

FNSS of Turkey intros new armored vehicle

DRAGON SPACE
Rheinmetall, MKEK of Turkey forming joint venture company

Iran's Rouhani denounces boasting over arms deals

Navy Sees Future Not in F-35s, But in Unmanned Aircraft

Growth seen for Latin America's defense market

DRAGON SPACE
Philippines alarmed over China aircraft challenges in disputed sea

China Warns Philippines Military to Stay Away from Disputed Territory

Russia to roll out Red Square military parade on unprecedented scale

US says Ukraine ceasefire 'imperfect,' better than nothing

DRAGON SPACE
Chemists strike nano-gold with 4 new atomic structures

New technique for exploring structural dynamics of nanoworld

Nanotubes with 2 walls have singular qualities

Happily ever after: Scientists arrange protein-nanoparticle marriage




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.