space travel 3d

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Online Version

Desktop version, mobile version, merchandise, recent releases.

2018 December - App Release

Added Messier Objects Explorer

Improved Night Sky view

Added Milky Way Galaxy

Added More Objects to the Search List

Added Distance Meter

Added More Options

Added Fluent Movement through Cosmos

Added Manual Search for objects

2018 June - Web Release

2018 March - Web Release

2018 February - Web Release

2018 January - Web Release

2017 December - App Release

Added manual search

Added nav menu

Paper Planets!

Astronomy places, major app update.

We've created SolarLab to share ideas and inspiration.

You can vote here for the best ideas, find all news, releases, as well as things we're currently working on.

Universe simulator

SpaceEngine is a realistic virtual Universe you can explore on your computer. You can travel from star to star, from galaxy to galaxy, landing on any planet, moon, or asteroid with the ability to explore its alien landscape. You can alter the speed of time and observe any celestial phenomena you please. All transitions are completely seamless, and this virtual universe has a size of billions of light-years across and contains trillions upon trillions of planetary systems. The procedural generation is based on real scientific knowledge, so SpaceEngine depicts the universe the way it is thought to be by modern science. Real celestial objects are also present if you want to visit them, including the planets and moons of our Solar system, thousands of nearby stars with newly discovered exoplanets, and thousands of galaxies that are currently known.

Update 0.990.47.2015: Catalog Updates, Additions, and Fixes

Authors: Jonathan and Dr. Megan We hope you enjoyed the April 8 eclipse and had a fun and safe viewing experience! Thanks to everyone who was able to ...

Cosmographic's Second Anniversary

Author: Alexander T. Long, CEO Yesterday we celebrated our second year as a studio! A lot has happened in the last year, and we have plans for even mo...

Update 0.990.46.2000: Catalog Update and Bug Fixes

Author: Dr. Megan Tannock Today’s update includes several smaller updates to several SpaceEngine features. The first is a major exoplanet catalog ex...

All types of celestial objects

represented

Galaxies, nebulae, stars and star clusters, planets and moons, comets and asteroids

Thousands of known

celestial objects

Known galaxies, stars, planets, asteroids, nebulae are represented using catalogs: HIPPARCOS, NGC/IC, Messier, MPC, NASA Exoplanet Archive and many others

procedural generation

for uncharted regions

Uncharted regions of space feature procedurally generated objects: galaxies, stars, star clusters, nebulae and planetary systems

Incredibly huge

and realistic Universe

Trillions of galaxies with billions of star systems in each, everything is realistically scaled

free to move

around the universe

Seamless transition from the surface of a planet to the most distant galaxies, and free game-like movement with the WASD keys

Easy navigation

many useful tools

Click on any visible object with the mouse and hit the 'G' key to fly directly to it. Search for objects by name, search by parameters within a certain radius, browse an interactive map of the surrounding space and view a map of the current planetary system

Save locations

and name objects

Save a favorite point in space and time and share it with friend. Give a name to any discovered planet, star or galaxy, and write a description for it.

Observe the Universe

Accelerate, decelerate, or reverse the flow of time to see the orbital motion of planets and moons, and watch sunsets and eclipses

Tools to learn

how the Universe works

Read detailed physical and astronomical data of any celestial body using the built-in Wiki system. Look at the orbital path lines of planets and moons, and compare their size side-by-side

3D landscapes on planets

volumetric galaxies and nebulae

Solar System bodies have real terrain models obtained by space probes; realistic hi-detail terrain on procedural planets

Photorealistic

Photorealistic lighting and atmospheric model

Space ships

with realistic orbital mechanics

Pilot star ships with realistic orbital mechanics, Alcubierre warp drives, and aerodynamics in planetary atmospheres

Multilanguage

Localization in 20 languages, with a simple system for creating new translations

Huge modding

Import space ship models, planetary surface textures and terrain, astronomical catalogs, and more

And much more

Movement made possible with free, spacecraft or aircraft mode

``Select and fly`` autopilot to automatically go directly to the object

Automatic binding of the observer to moving objects

Automatic selection of optimum flight speed

Built-in wiki system with descriptions and ability to extend

Ability to import user addons: models, textures, catalogs

3D models of galaxies and nebulae with interstellar dust clouds

Accurate planetary atmosphere models

Controllable space ships

Original music with context-dependent track switching

Localization in many languages, with the ability to add new ones

• CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T, AMD FX-4100
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 460; 3+ GB dedicated video memory (VRAM)
• OS: Windows 10

Recommended

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4430, AMD FX-8350
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 480; 5+ GB dedicated video memory (VRAM)
• OS: Windows 10/11

If you like SpaceEngine, buy the latest version on Steam , and receive free updates as we make improvements and add new features!

At the moment, we are no longer accepting donations via PayPal. If you want to support SpaceEngine beyond purchasing it for yourself, consider buying a copy for a friend or simply tell your friends and family about SpaceEngine and why you love it. No matter what you do, we deeply appreciate your support!

The Nine Planets

Solar System Tour

Solar System Scope is an incredibly accurate solar system tour, allowing you to explore the solar system, the night sky and outer space in real-time.

All of the objects on the tour are accurately positioned based on where they are right this very second, and the tour contains interesting facts and information about the many objects in space.

Every now and then, don’t you wish you could just pack your bags and jet off on an exciting, awe-inspiring journey across our breathtaking solar system? Ever wondered what it’d be like to skim past the gas giants or marvel at the icy rings of Saturn up close? Well, while Elon Musk is still working on making that a reality, I’ll be your virtual guide on a one-of-a-kind solar system tour – an enlightening adventure, without the risk of being lost in space!

Our journey starts right here, on our very own life-logged planet, Earth. As we embark on this space voyage, we’ll traverse through the neighboring rocky planets, glide past the incredible asteroid belt, and sweep across the majestic giants, their icy rings and numerous satellites. Towards the end, we’ll be gracefully riding the gravitational waves, leaving the outer edges of our solar system, where you’ll get a rare glimpse of the enigmatic region populated by icy objects known as the Kuiper Belt.

But before we start our engines and head for the inky vastness of space, it’s important to remember that although space explorations have given us a fair idea about these celestial bodies, there’s still an ocean of mysteries waiting to be unfolded. The real beauty of our cosmic neighborhood lies in its sheer vastness, diversity and the endless scope of discovery that it harbors. From the scorching heat of Mercury to the frigid reaches Pluto and beyond, brace yourself for an  out-of-this-world experience !

The Exciting Experience of a Solar System Tour

Imagine the prospect of a real-life  solar system tour . It’s akin to a child’s joy on their first trip to a theme park. A hands-on space exploration that goes beyond the textbooks, casting a mesmerizing spell on minds open to the wonders of the universe.

Propelling past Earth’s atmosphere, you’d first mark a date with our closest celestial neighbor—the Moon. The Apollo astronauts traversed its dusty plains more than five decades ago. Yet for us, it would still be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Next on the itinerary is our scorched twin, Venus. Here’s a fun fact,  Venus  is the only planet in our solar system that spins opposite to Earth.

Then we arrive at the pièce de résistance: our bloodline, the Sun. During the visit, you could learn more about its billion-year lifespan and its constant solar storms. The solar system tour would not be complete without a stopover at Mars. Known as the Red Planet, it’s been the subject of numerous  space missions , most notably the Mars Rover mission seeking evidence of life.

Here’s a quick tabular overview:

From the asteroid belt to Jupiter’s turbulent storms, every celestial body sits ready to unfold its story. With the tour continuing to the outer reaches of the universe, you’d experience the icy solitude of the outer planets like Neptune and Uranus.

However, we shouldn’t forget about an often overlooked, yet significant part of our solar system. Those are the  comets  and asteroids, remnants from the formation of our system almost 4.6 billion years ago.

Being part of a solar system tour , you wouldn’t just be observing the cosmos. Instead, you’d immerse yourself in a cosmic ocean, each wave presenting a new revelation about the universe. It’s not merely an experience; it’s the chance to physically connect with the vast expanse of space that usually only feels a speck away in the night sky. This would indeed be a ticket to the greatest show in the cosmos.

Traveling through the Solar System: What to Expect

Imagine blasting off into the cosmos on a spaceship designed for a thrilling expedition! As we set off on our  solar system tour , the things we’ll perceive are extraordinarily vast and stunningly diverse. This voyage will give us a newfound respect for the majesty of the cosmic neighborhood we inhabit.

Our first stop will be  Mercury , the closest planet to the sun. It’s a small, bare, and intensely heated planet. We shouldn’t forget the sunscreen as daytime temperatures can soar up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit!

Next, we’ll swing by  Venus  – the hot, hurricane-ridden planet awaits us with an unbelievably corrosive atmosphere. It’s interesting to note that Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, including Earth.

Continuing our journey, we’ll visit  Mars . Mars has the tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, three times the height of Mount Everest. And don’t forget about the giant canyon, Valles Marineris, which would stretch from New York to Los Angeles if it was on Earth!

Yet, our extraordinary adventure won’t be all about planets. We’ll have a chance to marvel at the  Asteroid Belt , a ring composed of millions of rocky bodies. This celestial obstacle course lies between Mars and Jupiter.

Of course, we’ll also encounter the majestic giants of our solar system. The gas giants,  Saturn  and  Jupiter , as well as the icy giants,  Uranus  and  Neptune , will present captivating sights. We’ll see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, an anticyclonic storm larger than Earth, and Saturn’s intricate ring system. Uranus and Neptune, on the other hand, will dazzle us with their stunning cool-blue hues.

Admittedly, going further to behold the beauty of  Pluto , once a planet, now a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, caps off this unique expedition. The journey end will leave us with an understanding of the infinite yet harmonious chaos that forms our solar system.

So buckle up, folks. The adventure through our heavenly bodies is par for the cosmic course. Our solar system, with its varied and breathtaking celestial bodies, offers a journey like no other. It’s going to be a wild ride! Just remember, despite the vastness of space, we’re never too far away from our home planet, Earth.

Conclusion: Reflecting on Our Intergalactic Journey

Wraping up, we’ve journeyed past planets and stars, across cosmic fields, and brushed alongside cosmic neighbors throughout our solar system tour.  Isn’t it just incredible that we live in such an expansive universe that holds so many unseen wonders?

Throughout our intergalactic expedition, we’ll forever remember the unique characteristics of each celestial body. Let’s just take a quick review again:

• Mercury,  with its sweltering days and frigid nights,
• Venus,  stunningly bright yet shrouded in clouds,
• Mars,  our red neighbor that pique our curiosity about extraterrestrial life,
• Jupiter’s  giant gas storms,
• Saturn’s  enchanting rings,
• Uranus  and  Neptune’s  icy allure,
• And let’s not forget about our little cosmic sibling, the dwarf planet  Pluto .

Something important stood out during our journey, invoking a sense of interconnectivity. Each exists in symbiosis, drawing and relying upon the sun’s energy. Just like how everything on Earth is connected, so are we connected to our cosmic counterparts.

So, what’s the takeaway? Should we plan to pack our bags and ship off to Mars? I’ll leave that up to you. What I will stress, though, is the importance of space exploration. It’s not just a testament to human curiosity, it’s a driver of scientific breakthroughs and a reminder of the vast unexplored universe that lies ahead of us.

It might seem frightening, or perhaps intriguing. Yet isn’t that the essence of exploration? Stepping into the unknown, learning new things, using that newfound knowledge to improve and innovate. And in doing so, perhaps we’ll find more about ourselves along the way.

To sum it up, our universe offers infinite mysteries and wonders for us to discover. As we move forward, let’s keep looking up and fueling our curiosity. Remember, no question is a bad question and our solar system tour just has begun. As we continue to explore the stars, who knows what we’ll uncover? The only thing for sure is that the stars await, ready to share their secrets with us.

Due to errors in the way the solar system model works embedded on this page, we now link directly to Solar System Scope.

• 3D Solar System
• Planetarium
• Constellations
• Night Guide

3D Solar System Viewer

Our 3D Solar System Viewer provides an accurate and interactive visualization of the orbits of the Planets, Asteroids and Comets.

Celestia — real-time 3D visualization of space

The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.

Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.

Unlike most planetarium software , Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.

All movement in Celestia is seamless . The exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters down to spacecraft only a few meters across. A 'point-and-goto' interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.

Celestia is expandable . Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.

3D Space Simulator

Celestia lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.

Celestia simulates many different types of celestial objects. From planets and moons to star clusters and galaxies, you can visit every object in the expandable database and view it from any point in space and time. The position and movement of solar system objects is calculated accurately in real time at any rate desired.

Interactive Planetarium

Celestia serves as a planetarium – for an observer on any celestial object.

You can easily navigate to any world and land on its surface. When used as a planetarium, Celestia shows accurate positions of solar system objects in the sky. You can switch labels and other supporting features on and off with hotkeys, or zoom in and out on an object of interest, for example Jupiter’s system of moons.

Expandable Content

Customize Celestia according to your needs.

Celestia’s catalogues can be easily expanded. There are many different add-ons available containing new objects like comets or stars, high-resolution textures of Earth and other well mapped solar system bodies, as well as 3D models for asteroids and spacecraft on precise trajectories. Even fictional objects from well-known sci-fi franchises can be found.

Create your own worlds

Celestia allows you to add your own content.

If you don’t find a particular celestial object in the catalogues, you can simply create it yourself. Construct whole planetary systems, nebulae, galaxies or fictional objects. Celestia provides a unique opportunity to interactively demonstrate your creations.

Other Celestia features

These are just some of the many features of Celestia

Virtual Textures

Virtual Textures can be used to display extremely high-resolution textures or close-up features on planetary surfaces. Celestia only loads the tiles it needs to display, increasing performance.

Audio playing

Play background music in CEL/CELX scripts in order to achieve greater effect. Available only for Celestia 1.7.0.

Trajectories

Celestia supports different types of trajectory data. Sampled Orbits for example can be used for spacecraft paths, or you can use NASA’s SPICE kernels for various solar system objects.

Welcome to ViewSpace

Hero interactive.

Explore the Universe with Interactives and Videos

About ViewSpace

What is viewspace.

ViewSpace is a free, web-based collection of digital interactives and videos highlighting the latest developments in astronomy and Earth science.

ViewSpace gives you the opportunity to explore our planet, solar system, galaxy, and universe. Provided free with the support of NASA, ViewSpace is developed by a team of scientists, educators, and communication specialists who collaborate to ensure that content is accurate, up-to-date, engaging, relevant, and accessible to a wide audience.

Interactives

ViewSpace interactives allow you to explore objects and materials from different perspectives, discovering how we can combine information to better understand the universe.

Different forms of light: Explore visible and invisible wavelengths of light that help us understand features like the dusty brim of the Sombrero Galaxy roughly 30 million light-years away.

Hidden objects: Unveil invisible light to reveal hidden objects like the stars forming inside Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust 7,500 light-years from Earth.

ViewSpace videos tell the stories of the planets, stars, galaxies, and universe, giving viewers the opportunity to experience space and Earth as seen with satellites and telescopes.

Astronomy: Explore the sky with stories told through spectacular imagery from space telescopes.

Earth science: Gain new perspectives on our home planet based on data gathered by Earth-orbiting satellites.

ViewSpace is produced by the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute , in partnership with the NASA's Universe of Learning project and NASA's Earth Observing System, Hubble Space Telescope Project, and James Webb Space Telescope Project.

ViewSpace has been exhibited in museums, planetariums, and science centers across the country since 2000.

What Will You Explore?

The Latest Discoveries in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Recent Natural Events and Satellite Views of Earth

In-depth Stories of How Science and the Universe Work

Stunning Imagery and Accessible Explanations

Sample Images from ViewSpace

What objects and materials make up the universe, and how do we study the invisible as well as the visible?

Data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory are used to create a map of dark matter (blue) in galaxy cluster MACS J0717.5+3745.

What are galaxies; how do they vary; and how do they form, interact, and change over time?

The Penguin and the Egg (Arp 142) is a pair of galaxies that are being distorted by their mutual gravitational attraction.

How do the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids interact as a system?

Saturn’s moon Titan casts a shadow as it passes between the planet and the Sun.

How do telescopes help us better understand the objects and materials that light up the sky?

With telescopes, we can see details of the Milky Way, including glowing clouds of dust and gas like the Lobster Nebula.

How fast is the universe expanding and what does this tell us about its past and future?

Over time, space expands, stretching the wavelenghts of light and causing the distant galaxies seen in the Ultra Deep Field image from the Hubble Space Telescope to look redder than the closer galaxies.

How do we detect and study planets orbiting other stars?

Changes in the brightness of starlight, measured by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, indicates the presence of a planet orbiting the star.

What happens to stars at the end of their lives, and how do stellar explosions affect the space around them?

Visible, infrared, and X-ray light from supernova remnant Cassiopeia A reveal remains of an exploded star.

How can we use interactions between light and matter to probe the deep universe?

The enormous mass of galaxy cluster Abell 370 bends the space around it, magnifying and distorting the light from more distant galaxies into arc-like streaks.

How are astronomers combining data from space and ground-based telescopes, particle detectors, and gravitational wave detectors to understand cosmic objects, processes, and events?

An artist’s illustration depicts the detection of neutrino particles and gamma rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy.

How and where do stars form, and how do they shape their surroundings?

Pillars of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula are sculpted and illuminated by stellar winds and high-energy radiation of bright stars.

How can we use satellites to map, study, and monitor Earth’s land surface, oceans, and atmosphere?

An image captured by the Landsat 8 satellite in May 2018 shows active lava flows from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

What evidence supports our theories of how the universe formed and how it has evolved over time?

A map of the sky from the Planck Space Telescope highlights variations in the cosmic microwave background radiation—energy left over from the big bang some 13.8 billion years ago.

What tools and methods do scientists use to study Earth and space?

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite (SMAP) helps scientists monitor droughts, predict floods, and improve farm productivity.

Is Earth unique? Are we alone?

Observations from space telescopes have revealed thousands of exoplanets of different of sizes, compositions, temperatures, and atmospheres, including seven rocky Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system, 40 light-years from Earth (artist’s illustration).

Where Is ViewSpace?

ViewSpace videos are on exhibit at museums, science centers, and planetariums across the country.

ViewSpace interactives are available online.

Use the map to find a ViewSpace video location near you.

Location Spotlight

Worcester, Massachusetts

Westcave Preserve

Round Mountain, Texas

Lowell Observatory

Flagstaff, Arizona

Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, Maryland

Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey

Clark Planetarium

Salt Lake City, Utah

Becoming a ViewSpace Venue

ViewSpace provides informal learning sites with engaging, accurate, relevant, and up-to-date astronomy and Earth science content. Access to ViewSpace is free, requiring only registration, a computer or Smart TV, and persistent internet access. ViewSpace content is self-updating and videos can be set to play automatically, requiring minimal staff effort to maintain.

Join hundreds of others in featuring ViewSpace as part of your exhibits.

Who Produces and Supports ViewSpace?

ViewSpace is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and is provided free of charge through financial support and subject matter expertise from the NASA’s Universe of Learning project, NASA’s Earth Observing System Project Science Office, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Project, and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Project.

Funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA’s Universe of Learning is an integrated astrophysics STEM learning and literacy project developed through a partnership between the Space Telescope Science Institute, Caltech/IPAC, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Sonoma State University.

NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) is a coordinated series of satellites designed to observe Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere. As part of the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, the EOS Project Science Office (EOSPSO) is committed to sharing information with both researchers and the general public.

The Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope are two of NASA’s flagship missions designed to explore and advance our understanding of the universe. The missions’ communications programs are dedicated to sharing scientific advances and making the world’s astronomical information accessible to all.

Solar System Exploration

Join us as we explore our planetary neighborhood: The Sun, planets, moons, and millions of asteroids and comets.

10 THINGS about our solar system

1. Many Worlds

Our solar system has a star, eight planets, five dwarf planets, and thousands of asteroids, and comets.

2. Meet Me in the Orion Arm

Our solar system orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy. We’re in one of the galaxy’s four spiral arms.

3. A Long Way Around

It takes our solar system about 230 million years to complete one orbit around the galactic center.

4. Spiraling Through Space

There are three general kinds of galaxies: elliptical, irregular, and spiral. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.

5. Room to Breathe

Our solar system has no atmosphere. But it has many worlds – including Earth – with many kinds of atmospheres.

6. Many Moons

Our solar system has more than 200 moons.

7. Ring Worlds

The four giant planets – and at least one asteroid – have rings.

8. Getting Out There

More than 300 robotic spacecraft have left Earth's orbit, and 24 U.S. astronauts have traveled to the Moon.

9. Life as We Know It

So far, Earth is the only place we've found life in our solar system, but we’re looking.

10. Going Interstellar

The Voyagers are the only spacecraft to reach interstellar space.

Solar System Overview

The solar system has one star, eight planets, five dwarf planets, at least 290 moons, more than 1.3 million asteroids, and about 3,900 comets. It is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy called the Orion Arm, or Orion Spur. Our solar system orbits the center of the galaxy at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph). It takes about 230 million years to complete one orbit around the galactic center.

We call it the solar system because it is made up of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity – the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; dwarf planets Pluto, Ceres, Makemake, Haumea, and Eris – along with hundreds of moons; and millions of asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

The Latest: Building Europa Clipper

featured missions

Europa Clipper

Launching Oct. 10, 2024, to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa.

Launched on a mission to a metal-rich asteroid, arriving 2029.

OSIRIS-APEX

On its way to explore asteroid Apophis.

En route to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

Perseverance Rover

Exploring the surface of Mars since 2021.

Delivered asteroid Bennu sample in September 2023.

Curiosity Rover

Exploring the surface of Mars since 2012.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Orbiting the Moon since 2009.

BepiColombo*

En route to Mercury orbit in 2025. *ESA/JAXA-led.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Orbiting Mars since 2006.

Orbiting Mars since 2014.

Mars Odyssey

Orbiting Mars since 2001.

Mars Express*

Orbiting Mars since 2003. *ESA-led.

Asteroid and comet hunter since 2009.

Orbiting Jupiter since 2016.

New Horizons

Exploring the Kuiper Belt since 2015.

Jupiter moon arrival in 2034. *ESA-led.

Solar System Facts

Planet Sizes and Locations

Temperatures Across Our Solar System

Orbits and Kepler's Laws

All About Asteroid Apophis

When is the next full moon.

Our detailed daily guide to the night sky includes full Moon lore, meteor showers, asteroid flybys, and more.

NASA's Eyes

Experience Earth, our solar system, nearby asteroids, the universe, and the spacecraft exploring them with immersive real-time 3D web-based apps. Start exploring your solar system now!

Latest News

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NASA, JAXA XRISM Spots Iron Fingerprints in Nearby Active Galaxy

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Breaking the Scaling Limits: New Ultralow-noise Superconducting Camera for Exoplanet Searches

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Hubble Hunts Visible Light Sources of X-Rays

NASA Is Helping Protect Tigers, Jaguars, and Elephants. Here’s How.

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Kuiper Belt

Space in 3D

The space tracker you can take anywhere. Track noteworthy space objects in your browser in a 3D simulation of the solar system

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3D-printed hearts on ISS could help astronauts travel to deep space

Spaceborne cardiac studies are paving the way for humans to trek into the void.

Preparing for a future in which astronauts begin adventuring deep into our solar system, scientists are developing 3D-printed hearts that they plan on launching to the International Space Station in 2027.

The idea is simply to see how these artificial organs fare when exposed to harsh space radiation because, if humans want to trek into the depths of outer space someday, we'll need to know whether our hearts can truly take us there.

Behind the exciting plan are researchers with a program called Pulse. Funded by the European Innovation Council, Pulse's website emphasizes the importance of generating complex, precise and easily manipulable bioprinted materials to "make long-term space exploration a safer and more viable option." However, the team also explains that this endeavor can help with Earth -based medicine breakthroughs as well, most notably with regard to cancer therapies that also expose the human body to intense radiation.

"The ambitious goals of the PULSE project are as much related to space research as they are to healthcare on Earth," Lorenzo Moroni, project coordinator and professor of biofabrication for regenerative medicine at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, said in a statement . "Bioprinted organoids that closely replicate the complexity of human organs have the potential to reduce the reliance on animal experimentation and provide a more accurate and efficient platform to study disease mechanisms and evaluate drug responses."

Related: 3D print the cosmos: An interview with the authors of 'Stars in Your Hand'

While PULSE's project is certainly innovative in that fully 3D-printed hearts haven't been sent to the ISS before,  scientists have dabbled with exposing heart cells to spaceborne conditions in the past.

For example, various institutions such as Brown University and Johns Hopkins University worked with NASA to send some cardiac tissue specimens to the ISS over the past few years – most recently as part of SpaceX's CRS-27 robotic resupply mission. The purpose was to see how each cell subject, lovingly called "tissue-on-a-chip," contracts in microgravity conditions and learn whether natural cardiac muscle damage can be reversed, as space's environment sort of mimics the effects of aging on the human body, but in fast-forward. And that's among a list of several other interesting experiments stemming from tissue-on-a-chip . 

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In fact, astronauts physically stationed on the ISS also constantly monitor their cardiovascular health for active scientific heart studies such as the Canadian Space Agency's Vascular Echo , which looks at how arteries and hearts respond to blood pressure changes known to occur in space.

By contrast, however, PULSE hopes to send full artificial hearts to the Earth-orbiting laboratory – not cell samples nor functioning organs locked in human bodies.

Possibly, the benefit of this technique over the former would be that it replicates a true heart much better, and over the latter would be that it's easily testable and controllable for specific research experiments.

According to an overview of the program, the researchers intend to build these hearts with what they call "PULSE technology," in reference to a system that harnesses what's known as "magnetic levitation" and "acoustic levitation." 

Basically, acoustic levitation uses sound waves to suspend something mid-air while magnetic levitation taps into magnetic fields for the same effect. You might've heard about magnetic levitation before in the case of Maglevs , trains that just barely hover above ground to reach stunning speeds. Those harness the power of magnetic levitation, too, though for vehicular travel.

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 —  Best space-themed 3D prints: Recreate iconic spacecraft and objects

 —  Best 3D printers 2023: FDM & resin printers

In the case of PULSE, the purpose of these two levitation techniques is to enable scientists to perfectly manipulate various parts of a bioprinted organ (think, cells and hydrogels) such that the specimen excellently mirrors its true counterpart.

If humanity manages to achieve the dream of entering its age of deep space exploration and Mars habitation someday, the results of all cardiac space studies , including PULSE, could be major pieces of the puzzle.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Monisha Ravisetti is Space.com's Astronomy Editor. She covers black holes, star explosions, gravitational waves, exoplanet discoveries and other enigmas hidden across the fabric of space and time. Previously, she was a science writer at CNET, and before that, reported for The Academic Times. Prior to becoming a writer, she was an immunology researcher at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. She graduated from New York University in 2018 with a B.A. in philosophy, physics and chemistry. She spends too much time playing online chess. Her favorite planet is Earth.

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3D Printing In Space – Top Projects in 2023

Written by: 3DSourced

February 20, 2024

3D printing for space has come a long way in just a few short years. From 3D printed tools and food to rockets and habitable shelters, aeronautical manufacturing companies are mooting additive manufacturing as an integral part in the future of space exploration.

In this guide, I’ll reveal how 3D printing is helping engineers produce space projects like rovers, spacesuits, and even engines for use in active space missions, with drastic improvements in efficiency.

Most Exciting 3D Printing in Space Projects

• 3D Printing Shelters for Space – NASA’s Mars Simulations and Martian Dwellings with Local Materials
• 3D Printing for Spacecraft & Rockets – From SpaceX’s In-House Parts to 3D Printed Rovers and Rocket Engines
• 3D Printing Tools in Space – ESA’s Innovations, Onboard ISS Printing, and Recycling in Orbit
• 3D Printing Food in Space – NASA’s Journey to 3D Printed Pizzas in Space
• Space Ceramics – Redwire’s Zero Gravity Ceramic 3D Printing for Enhanced Strength

3D Printing Shelters for Space

Mars dune alpha habitat.

• Company: NASA
• Technology: Vulcan Construction System
• Purpose: Researching a functioning human habitat on the moon and eventually Mars

In June 2023, a simulation began in the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

This is phase one of the Mars Dune Alpha Project by NASA. Assuming all goes well, the volunteer crew will spend a year in this simulation, emulating life on the red planet as realistically as possible , including delayed contact times.

The data extracted from this mission will provide valuable insights into the behavioral and social effects of such a mission, but also the viability of 3D printed space shelters for long-term living and storage.

The mission is due for further trials on the moon in 2025, before hopefully being used for a real Mars mission in 2026 and beyond.

AI Spacefactory

• Company: AI Spacefactory
• Technology: ISRU resource finding and utilization
• Purpose: Building safe and sustainable shelters for space habitation

Companies like AI Space Factory have designed Martian dwellings that could be 3D printed from local materials such as basalt. 

Their Marsha Project proposes tall, thin structures capable of withstanding Mars’ harsh atmospheric and thermal pressures.

However, these Martian habitats, like their lunar counterparts , would need to overcome numerous challenges, including dust control and thermal management. They’re mimicking these environments on earth to find innovative ways of ensuring construction is safe and involves the least amount of destruction to nature as possible.

3D Printing in Spacecraft & Rockets

Spacex and boeing embrace 3d printing.

• Company: Sp a ceX and Boeing
• Technology: Ultem 9085 3D Printing Thermoplastics
• Purpose: Using 3D printing to simplify the construction of complex parts

Both SpaceX and Boeing utilize hundreds of 3D printed parts in their machinery, taking advantage of the capacity to print in-house.

Given the need for accurate, light, and robust components, 3D printing is perfectly suited to this industry where rocket parts don’t need to be mass-produced.

In 2022, Boeing unveiled an update to their use of 3D printing to launch multi-purpose, taking advantage of both rapid prototyping and 3D printed parts to make a flexible alternative to traditional manufacturing .

Relativity Space and the 3D-Printed Rocket Revolution

• Company: Relativity Space
• Technology: STARGATE large format 3D printing
• Purpose: Developing mostly-entirely 3D printed rockets for efficient construction and flight

Relativity Space has taken 3D printing to the next level, boasting the world’s largest metal 3D printer in their Stargate factory. By embracing advanced machine-learning, analytics, and 3D printing, the company aims to reduce the traditionally labor-intensive process of building rockets, resulting in fewer parts and lower costs.

The company’s flagship rocket, the Terran I, is 90% 3D printed , and is designed to launch up to 1,250kg into low-earth orbit and is touted as one of the most cost-effective launchers globally.

The Terran I saw its first launch 3 years after being announced in 2015, with its first flight occurring in March 2023.

This pilot launch met an unfortunate end , however, as an engine failure prevented the rocket from successfully reaching orbit.

Rocket Lab Leaps into 3D Printing

• Company: Rocket Lab
• Technology: High end FDM 3D printing
• Purpose: Prove the efficiency and purpose of 3D printed engines in rockets

Rocket Labs has had a very successful 2023, revealing that their 3D printed Rutherford engine has been reinvented once again for more launches.

This 3D printed Rutherford engine powers the Electron Rocket, which includes a 3D printed combustion chamber, injector, main propellant valves, and pump. The company has 3D printed over 260 models of the Rutherford engine, resulting in lighter, cheaper satellite launches.

NASA RAMPT Project

• Technology: Direct Energy Deposition
• Purpose: Cutting cost and production time without sacrificing reliability

NASA has frequently utilized 3D printing in their space research and plans . NASA’s RAMPT project , for example, 3D printed rocket parts including nozzles, thrust chambers, and even propulsion chambers, reducing the number of components and weight.

In 2020, the RAMPT project was used to print a new rocket nozzle. At 40 inches in diameter, it was the largest rocket nozzle they’d ever made.

The Audi Lunar Quattro: Pioneering 3D-Printed Space Rovers

• Company: Audi
• Technology: FDM 3D printing
• Purpose: Use 3D printing to ensure longevity and survivability of technology in harsh extraterrestrial environments

Designed with 3D printed aluminum and titanium solar panels, the Audi Lunar Quattro demonstrates the potential of lightweight, efficient designs for future interplanetary exploration.

Although the Quattro did not go to space in 2021 as intended, the concept has not gone unnoticed. Nano3Dprint announced a partnership with Finite Space in May 2023 to use 3D printing for sustainable space travel and habitation, beginning with a 3D printed lunar rover.

3D Printing Tools in Space

European space agency (esa).

• Company: ESA
• Technology: Various
• Purpose: Aiding space exploration with multi-purpose, lightweight 3D printed tools

After announcing plans for a 3D printed lunar base in 2013 , the European Space Agency (ESA) has taken to 3D printing to help with a lot of mechanical complexities and issues. The bend-based mechanism , which you can see below, is one of their 3D printed innovations from 2023.

It may look like a mess, but this mechanism is important for stabilizing and allowing frictionless rotation of geared mechanisms like thrusters and telescopes.

In partnering with other companies like CSEM and 3D Precision SA , the ESA is continuing to improve their work by utilizing additive manufacturing.

While their lunar base has run into some issues, largely due to the moon’s atmosphere not being suitable for most 3D printing projects , they have high hopes for the future of 3D printing in space exploration.

Made In Space

• Company: Made in Space (now acquired)
• Technology: FDM Printing
• Purpose: To ensure astronauts can create bespoke tools and equipment mid-mission

In 2014, Made in Space sent an Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), a zero-gravity FDM 3D printer, to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the first of its kind, with no other 3D printer ever sent to space before this.

The AMF, which has a 6 x 6 x 6 inch print volume, can 3D print with ABS, ULTEM 9085, and HDPE materials. The 3D printer has successfully produced parts like a wrench, an antenna part, and a connector for free-flying robots while orbiting Earth.

In the event of an unforeseen issue on the ISS, astronauts can now have the tools or parts they need to fix the problem designed on Earth and remotely sent to Made in Space’s 3D printer on the ISS , which is 250 miles away.

Unfortunately, there has been no further news since Made in Space was acquired by aerospace manufacturing company Redwire in 2020.

Tethers Unlimited

• Company: Tethers Unlimited
• Technology: FDM 3D printing with recyclable parts
• Purpose: To make sustainable 3D printing solutions for space exploration

Tethers Unlimited shipped a ReFabricator to the ISS in February 2019 , enabling astronauts to recycle waste materials that accumulate while in space. This high-performance polymer printer can also recycle these parts back into feedstock for re-use .

The company’s CEO, Rob Hoyt, envisions astronauts using this technology to manufacture and recycle food-safe utensils.

3D Printing Food in Space

Nasa and beehex.

• Company: BeeHex Automation
• Technology: Food 3D printing
• Purpose: Allowing astronauts to enjoy nutritional and interesting 3D printed food in space

NASA is exploring 3D printing’s potential for producing food in space and has provided BeeHex with a $1 million investment to develop a 3D printed pizza.

By using specially-designed cartridges, 3D printable food ingredients for pizzas can be stored in a manner that significantly slows down spoiling along with other benefits like ease of transportation and reducing food waste, providing sustenance for astronauts on their journey into the far reaches of space.

To learn more, you can check out our detailed article on 3D printed food and some of the most mouthwatering projects here .

• Company: Redwire
• Technology: Ceramic 3D printing
• Purpose: Printing ceramics in zero-g to environments for stronger pieces

In 2020, Redwire-acquired company Made In Space tested a Ceramics Manufacturing Module (CMM) utilizing Stereolithography (SLA) to 3D print ceramic components in zero gravity. The zero-gravity environment alleviates intense stresses on the parts during the printing process, allowing for a more uniform stress distribution.

As a result, stronger, lighter parts can be created in space than on Earth . This approach may open the door for future manufacturing of high-performance ceramic turbine blades in Earth-orbiting additive manufacturing mini-factories. These parts could then be sent back to Earth for sale and use.

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System requirements.

• OS *: Windows 7/8/10 64
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 4x2.4 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1Gb
• Storage: 4 GB available space
• Memory: 8 MB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 840 2Gb

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