The Russian spacecraft MS-02 takes a microsatellite, along with the regular payload, to the ISS. This small satellite consists out of some 3D printed parts.
The microsatellite has a size of 300 x 100 x 100 mm and has a 3D printed hull to protect it against cosmic influences. Additionally, some of the other parts inside the satellite are 3D printed out of plastic. It also contains an electric battery unit which was made using 3D printing zirconium for the first time ever. Furthermore there are different measuring instruments. Some of the instruments should measure how the 3D printed parts behave in space. The satellite was designed and build on the Tomsk Polytechnic University and has the name Tomsk-TPU-120.
On April 2, 2016 at 19:58, the spacecraft docked on to the ISS without any problem. The crew will position the microsatellit outside the ISS during their next scheduled spacewalk.
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