In a major milestone for space exploration, Virgin Galactic has successfully flown its 3D printer into space, marking the beginning of a new era in low-Earth orbit technology. The printer, which was designed to print large and complex objects, is expected to be used for a variety of applications, including bioprinting, on the International Space Station (ISS).

The 3D printer, called “Starchaser,” was launched aboard Virgin Galactic’s white-knuckle ride, SpaceShipTwo, on its 51st flight. The spacecraft soared to an altitude of 82.5 kilometers (269,000 feet), reaching a speed of Mach 2.5, before the printer was deployed into space.

The Starchaser printer uses a proprietary technology called “Fused Filament Fabrication” to create three-dimensional objects by layering and melting plastic filaments. It is capable of producing objects with intricately designed structures and complex geometries, making it an ideal tool for a wide range of applications, including bioprinting.

Bioprinting is a process that involves creating living tissues and organs by printing cells and biomaterials in a specific pattern. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and regenerative medicine. In space, bioprinting could be used to create artificial tissues for scientific research, produce spare parts for future spacecraft, and even enable the creation of new biological systems.

According to Virgin Galactic, the Starchaser printer will be used to print a variety of bioprinting-related materials, including tissue scaffolds, biomaterials, and even small biological samples, such as organs and bone tissue. The company plans to work with researchers and scientists to develop specific applications for the printer, including the creation of artificial skin for burn victims, the development of new biomaterials for use in regenerative medicine, and the printing of organs for transplant.

The partnership between Virgin Galactic and the ISS is expected to be a significant milestone in the development of bioprinting technology. The ISS offers a unique environment for conducting scientific research and testing, with its microgravity environment allowing for the growth of cells and tissues in ways that cannot be replicated on Earth. The ability to bioprint in space could also provide new opportunities for scientific research and discoveries, as well as the potential to create new biological systems for use in space exploration.

“We are thrilled to have successfully flown our Starchaser printer into space and look forward to using it to advance the field of bioprinting,” said Mike Masucci, co-founder of Virgin Galactic. “This is a significant step forward for our company and for the advancement of space-based technology. We believe that bioprinting has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach medical research and treatment, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this innovation.”

The next step for the Starchaser printer is to be used on the ISS, where it will be used to conduct bioprinting experiments and test the capabilities of the technology. The company plans to announce further details about its plans for bioprinting in space in the coming months, including the specific types of materials and experiments that will be conducted on the ISS.