The world’s first system for testing 3D-printed materials made in space has won a UK manufacturing award. The NextSpace TestRig, built by the University of Glasgow and the Manufacturing Technology Centre, took the prize at The Engineer magazine’s Collaborate To Innovate Awards on February 26. The facility helps ensure materials printed in orbit can survive extreme space conditions.
Dr Gilles Bailet from the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering developed the NextSpace TestRig with the Manufacturing Technology Centre. The UK Space Agency provided £253,000 in funding to build the custom system.
The facility solves a key problem for space manufacturing. No dedicated system existed to test whether 3D-printed materials made in orbit could handle the physical strains of space. Polymers, ceramics and metals printed in space need to stay strong despite extreme temperatures and vacuum conditions.
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The NextSpace TestRig uses a specially-built vacuum chamber that creates space-like conditions on Earth. It can generate temperatures between -150°C and +250°C to mimic the harsh environment of orbit. Researchers place their 3D-printed materials inside to test their structural integrity before sending them to space.
The facility helps both academic researchers and companies working in the growing space industry. They can ensure their designs for 3D-printed components will be robust enough to function properly in orbit. This saves time and money compared to testing in space.
The award celebrates engineering collaboration that solves real-world challenges. The NextSpace TestRig beat four other nominated projects from across the UK to win the Manufacturing Technology category.
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Dr Gilles Bailet said it was an honour to be nominated alongside his partners, and he is delighted they won the prize. He expects the facility will play a key role in putting the UK at the forefront of research into in-space manufacturing as the country’s space industry expands.
