--- title: "New Machine on ISS Will Turn Trash Into “Ink” For 3D Printers" description: "California-based company Made in Space is launching a special machine to the ISS that can turn plastic waste into feedstock for the comapny's 3D printer." date: "2019-10-22" modified: "2019-10-22" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/machine-recycling-trash-3d-printer" categories: - "3D Printing" - "Future Materials" - "International Space Station" - "NASA" - "Science & Energy" - "Space" tags: - "3d printing" - "international space station" - "made in space" - "the digest" --- # New Machine on ISS Will Turn Trash Into “Ink” For 3D Printers ![California-based company Made in Space is launching a special machine to the ISS that can turn plastic waste into feedstock for the comapny's 3D printer.]() *\Image: Made in Space\* ## Space Recycling California startup Made in Space is launching a special machine to the International Space Station that turns plastic waste and trash into feedstock for the company's Additive Manufacturing Facility, a 3D printer already on board the station. According to the company's website, the recycling machine is meant to "facilitate the reusability of materials to solve new problems as they arise whether on the International Space Station or in future manned space exploration missions." It could also help "reduce the cost and weight of payloads carried from Earth." The machine is scheduled to launch into orbit on November 2 aboard Northrop Grunman's Cygnus spacecraft, [*Space.com* reports](). ## 3D Printing in Space Made in Space's 3D printer aboard the ISS was activated back in 2016 and has been used since to 3D print hundreds of tools and parts, [according to the company](). "Local manufacturing resources are a crucial capability for space exploration," Made In Space chief engineer Michael Snyder said [in a statement](). "Demonstrating and validating recycling capabilities on the ISS is an important step towards developing sustainable manufacturing systems that will enable us to venture deeper into the solar system." Earlier this year, NASA [awarded the company]() $73.7 million to launch a combination spacecraft and 3D printer that's capable of printing its own robotic arms. The spacecraft will attempt to print 32-foot beams that will eventually be used to hold solar arrays to both sides of itself. **READ MORE:** [Plastic Recycler Will Turn Space Station Trash into 3D Printing Stock]() \[*Space.com*\] **More on 3D printing in space:** *[NASA Approves Plan to 3D Print Giant Spaceship Parts in Orbit]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()