How 3D printing could save the lives of astronauts in space

When you sign on to be an astronaut, you put a lot on the line. Coupled with chance of disaster before even leaving the planet, you run a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease from weightlessness and space radiation — just one of the many factors you probably didn’t think about when you were a kid, daydreaming about stepping onto the moon.    

With a trip to Mars alone lasting a little over three years, astronauts must take medical emergencies in their own hands to solve problems when their ship is millions of miles from earth. Experts are suggesting that 3D printing may provide a way for crew members to create the tools they need to save the lives of fellow astronauts.     Read more...