SMOPS, acronym for Space Medicine OPerationS, is the analog mission taking place these days at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a research facility owned and operated by The Mars Society in Utah, USA.

The conditions offered by the MDRS are very similar to those that can be found in a possible Martian habitat: desert environment, crew isolation, space suit simulators for outdoor activities, living spaces and limited resources (water and food), local energy (solar panels) and food production (greenhouse). This will allow analog astronauts on Earth to simulate, in the best possible way, the difficulties that human crews will face on the Martian surface.

3D printing is a very useful tool on Earth, but on Mars it is a necessary resource. Additive manufacturing will allow the first generation of Martian and lunar explorers an unprecedented level of independence and resilience. With Vittorio Netti, Space Application Engineer of Roboze and Crew Commander of the mission team, we follow what is happening.

Assembly of a Roboze 3D Printer in the engineering module to test on-site manufacturing capabilities in a simulated Martian environment.

The crew was able to print sampling tools, medical devices, and even spare parts for existing hardware.

Additive manufacturing has a key capability to reduce the cost of long-range human space missions by significantly decreasing the mass occupied by spare parts and single-use tools aboard the spacecraft.

During the SMOPS mission, a new set of 3D printed tools was tested to collect soil samples from the lunar and Martian surfaces. Disposable sampling tools are designed to avoid contamination between different soil samples taken in different areas.

The use of super polymers allows the production of final components with great mechanical properties, compatible with the needs of the future generation of astronauts.

If you want to learn more, listen to the podcast by Enea Sacco, Roboze Application Engineer, recorded a few days before Vittorio Netti's departure for the SMOPS mission.

The mission will end on April 22, 2022, we can't wait to hear about it from the protagonists of this fantastic adventure.

Let’s get ready to #PrintStrongLikeMetal on Mars!