NASA Builds First Ever 3D Printed Imaging Telescope

NASA Builds First Ever 3D Printed Imaging Telescope

14Aug 2014

 In recent months NASA has had many firsts when it comes to 3D printing and space-related gear, and the space agency is on track to yet another. NASA issued a news release last week saying that by the end of September, one of its aerospace engineers is expected to have completed the first ever fully functional imaging telescope built almost exclusively out of 3D printed components.

The 2-inch imaging telescope, which is made to fit inside a 4×4 inch CubeSat satellite, is being built by NASA engineer Jason Budinoff at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Budinoff claims the project is truly the first of its kind. “As far as I know, we are the first to attempt to build an entire instrument with 3D printing,” he said.

The telescope’s outer tube, baffles and optical mounts are all 3D printed as one single structure. When these parts are complete, the telescope will be equipped with traditionally manufactured mirrors and glass lenses before undergoing vibration and thermal-vacuum testing next year. If all goes according to plan, the device will be launched into space for use.

The goal

Budinoff is also currently working on a similar 14-inch dual-channel telescope that is much more similar in size and shape to a typical space telescope. The NASA engineer says he wants to prove 3D printing is a viable option than can be employed in the construction of many parts and machines to improve quality while also decreasing time and cost in the manufacturing process.

“When we build telescopes for science instruments, it usually involves hundreds of pieces,” said Budinoff. “These components are complex and very expensive to build. But with 3D printing, we can reduce the overall number of parts and make them with nearly arbitrary geometries. We’re not limited by traditional mill-and-lathe fabrication operations.”

“I basically want to show that additive-machined instruments can fly,” he added. “We will have mitigated the risk, and when future program managers ask, ‘Can we use this technology?’ we can say, ‘Yes, we already have qualified it.’”