One of the main problems of the International Space Station (ISS), scientists call the waste disposal process. In addition, it is very difficult and costly to transport large plastic and metal structures to the ISS. All these and many other problems are designed to solve a new gadget, which is about to fall into the hands of astronauts.

Additive Manufacturing Facility announced the launch of a special spacecraft for the International Space Station. The main objective of the device will be the processing of plastic waste and garbage into raw materials for a 3D printer already on board the station.

According to the creators of the apparatus, such technologies will help mankind in space exploration, creating sustainable production systems that do not depend on the resources of the Earth. It will also reduce the weight of payloads brought from Earth. The Northrop Grunman Cygnus spacecraft with the device on board should go into orbit on November 2.

4DPA