<p>NASA astronauts have installed the world's first zero-gravity 3D printer on the International Space Station (ISS).<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the 3D printer, astronauts will soon begin experimenting with additive manufacturing technology in microgravity, the US space agency said in a statement.<br /><br />Commander Barry Wilmore installed the printer, about the size of a small microwave oven, in the Microgravity Science Glovebox on board ISS.<br /><br />The 3D printer will help astronauts manufacture their own components and tools on the ISS itself.<br /><br />The printer, developed by California-based space start-up Made in Space, was sent to the space station as part of SpaceX's fourth cargo resupply mission in September.<br /><br />"3D printing may allow us to email hardware to space instead of launching it," said Niki Werkheiser, 3D printing project manager at NASA.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Wilmore's fellow crew members - flight engineers Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova - worked on routine maintenance tasks and cargo transfers in the station's <br />Russian segment Monday.<br /><br />They also paired up for a cardiovascular exam on an exercise bike, sampled the station's atmosphere and tested television downlink signals.</p>
<p>NASA astronauts have installed the world's first zero-gravity 3D printer on the International Space Station (ISS).<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the 3D printer, astronauts will soon begin experimenting with additive manufacturing technology in microgravity, the US space agency said in a statement.<br /><br />Commander Barry Wilmore installed the printer, about the size of a small microwave oven, in the Microgravity Science Glovebox on board ISS.<br /><br />The 3D printer will help astronauts manufacture their own components and tools on the ISS itself.<br /><br />The printer, developed by California-based space start-up Made in Space, was sent to the space station as part of SpaceX's fourth cargo resupply mission in September.<br /><br />"3D printing may allow us to email hardware to space instead of launching it," said Niki Werkheiser, 3D printing project manager at NASA.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Wilmore's fellow crew members - flight engineers Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova - worked on routine maintenance tasks and cargo transfers in the station's <br />Russian segment Monday.<br /><br />They also paired up for a cardiovascular exam on an exercise bike, sampled the station's atmosphere and tested television downlink signals.</p>