空间3D打印技术现状与前景

Status and Prospect of 3D Printing Technology in Space

空间制造能力对太空探索具有重要意义,空间3D打印是实现空间制造的一项关键技术。阐述了空间制造的起源以及空间3D打印的技术现状,围绕着3D打印材料、工艺及空间环境适用性等问题,分别讨论了面向空间舱内环境、在轨原位环境、星球基地环境下空间3D打印技术的研究进展,提出了面向空间应用的高性能复合材料3D打印、多自由度3D打印等工艺方法,以应对空间环境的多重需求。分析并指出了实现空间3D打印技术面临着空间极端温差环境、能源利用、材料来源与性能等技术挑战;围绕我国空间站建设与月球探索工程,讨论了我国空间3D打印技术的发展前景与可能的实施途径。

Space manufacturing capability is of great significance to the deep space exploration,while 3D printing in space is a key technology to realize the space manufacturing. The development of space manufacturing technologies and 3D printing was reviewed in this paper. The recent research progress in 3D printing technology in space cabin,on-orbit in situ,and planetary base was discussed. The feasibility of materials used,the process and the space environment applicability were reviewed. A novel 3D printing process for space application was proposed to realize rapid fabrication of fiber reinforced thermal plastic composites and multi-degree of freedom fabrication so as to meet the rigid multiple requirements in space. Three main challenges in space 3D printing including the extreme temperature,energy used,and material source were put forward. Finally,the prospect and possible implementation methods for Chinese 3D printing technologies in space were discussed based on the needs of Chinese space station and lunar exploration missions.