Telescopes are very simple devices in theory, but getting one to work in space means a complex assembly of mechanical parts that is expensive, difficult to build, and hard to operate in the hostile environment outside the Earth’s atmosphere. To simplify things, NASA aerospace engineer Jason Budinoff is working on the first space telescope made entirely from 3D-printed parts.
The telescope is being fabricated using an additive printing process where the structure is built up layer-by-layer, by fusing a metal powder using a computer-controlled laser beam working from a 3D digital file. As each layer is created, more powder is laid down and the process is repeated. When finished, the excess powder is removed and the component is polished.
via Gizmag
Image: NASA Goddard/Jason Budinoff
