Uses 3D printer for spare parts

Nasa is sending a 3D printer into space where it hopes astronauts will be able to use it to create spare parts for the International Space Station. The printer, made by a California company called Made In Space, is among more than 5,000lbs of cargo inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule which is due to launch on Saturday. Jeff Sheehy:

If we’re really going to set up shop on Mars, we really can’t afford to bring everything we need for an indefinite amount of time. We’ll need to get to the point where we can make things that we need as we go.