Okay okay, you won’t actually be able to 3D print an actual satellite or an asteroid, but if you have a 3D printer you will be able to print miniature models of them and that’s still pretty cool. T
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The ability to 3D print these extraterrestrial objects comes courtesy of NASA, which has released the files for a number of satellites, asteroids and planetary features such as Mars’ Gale Crater.
The models have been scaled down to fit into the average domestic 3D printer, so none of them should be bigger than about 10cm across.
As The Verge points out, NASA’s made its 3D models available for some time now, but this is the first time it’s released actual 3D printing files.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that, because it’s NASA, you should be able to download the files and take them to someone with a printer without too much fear of it turning into a catastrophe. It does however appear that NASA is open to comment if you find any flaws in the files.
