Space Station's Commercial 3D Printer Makes Its 1st Tool (Photos)

The machine, known as the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), was installed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in late April. The AMF was built by California-based company Made In Space, which also constructed the only other 3D printer ever sent to space. NASA sees a bright future for the technology, which space agency officials have said could help make spaceflight cheaper and voyaging spaceships more self-sufficient.