Determining Suitability of 3D-Printing Polymers for Space Via Stratospheric Balloon Flight
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) uses computer control to make precise 3-dimensional objects. In 2016, Made In Space Inc. contracted with NASA to launch the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), a 3D printer that works in microgravity. The AMF has printed over 100 parts aboard the International Space Station. 3D-printed objects, such as hand tools and surgical instruments, could make space exploration more efficient and cost-effective.
The objective of this experiment is to send 3D-printed polymers on a stratospheric balloon flight to simulate the conditions of the Mars surface. The polymers will undergo stress tests to identify changes to their mechanical properties after flight.
Our payload contains 3D-printed test objects made from five different polymers: ABS Plastic, Green PE, PEI/PC, PLA, and polycarbonate. Since the AMF printer can print with ABS, Green PE, and PEI/PC, we will include both space-printed and Earth-printed objects from these three polymers. PLA and polycarbonate objects will all be Earth-printed. We will also fly raw filament of these five polymers. We will send the ~10-kg payload on a balloon to the middle stratosphere, ~35 km above sea level, for 24 hours. The samples will undergo tensile and compression stress testing before and after flight. From the data, we will identify the most suitable polymers for space applications.
The stratosphere and the Mars surface share similar temperature, pressure, humidity, and UV and cosmic radiation levels. Anticipated results are based on the findings of Nogales et al. (2018) and Prater et al. (2019). We expect ABS, PEI/PC, and polycarbonate samples to show the greatest reductions in tensile and compression strength after the flight. We expect Green PE to fare slightly better. PLA, the densest polymer, will likely undergo small or no changes in strength. We expect all samples to display large variations in strength, with no significant correlation to manufacturing environment (Earth or space).
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Max Whitehouse
Posted at 13:26h, 01 AugustSam has already worked so hard to get to this point and he is an excellent candidate.
Ashley “Ash” Donovan Bird
Posted at 17:12h, 01 AugustGood luck, Sam! As a fellow queer Denverite, you’ve absolutely got my vote!
Alex Dabao
Posted at 18:10h, 01 Augustgood luck!! trans rights!
Alaiah Faris
Posted at 19:50h, 01 AugustGood luck Sam!
Ryan Schriver
Posted at 20:56h, 01 AugustI am being forced to write this comment
Monica Chen
Posted at 02:49h, 03 AugustGood Luck Sam!!!!!!! We are rooting for you from California!
Haley Ruttle
Posted at 23:11h, 03 AugustGood luck Broskie
salt
Posted at 07:10h, 05 August!RemindMe 24 Hours
Lance Dzubinski
Posted at 15:22h, 06 AugustWe are all rooting for Sam
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Posted at 18:14h, 07 AugustGo Sam long!
Kenneth Millson
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Deanna Croce
Posted at 21:16h, 09 AugustYay! Good luck.
Don Zhe Nan Wang
Posted at 23:34h, 09 AugustYes, yes, yes!
Cynthia Grant
Posted at 02:43h, 10 AugustGreat to catch up on your life and career (believe that I taught you back at DMCI). Your curriculum approach and innovations are fascinating! Wishing you the very best. And will vote more than once. .
Amy Pollicino
Posted at 13:42h, 10 AugustInspiring to see the trans educators folx in our age group wish they had growing up. Keep up the good work, best of luck!
Denise Black
Posted at 04:41h, 11 AugustVoting for Sam!!’
Chrissy Valentine
Posted at 03:51h, 12 AugustGood luck!
Elliot Griffis
Posted at 14:37h, 13 AugustAmazing strong trans dude!
Payson Watkins
Posted at 00:23h, 14 AugustYOU ARE AMAZING
Melissa Thornley
Posted at 02:05h, 14 AugustDennis Morgan
Posted at 14:53h, 14 AugustGo Gator Sam….welcome to the SLHS swamp!!!!
Robert S Cassady
Posted at 15:14h, 14 AugustI am voting for Sam Long.
Andrew Schoedel
Posted at 03:10h, 15 AugustGet it Sam!,
Sarah Puff
Posted at 03:45h, 15 AugustSo thrilled to have you as a fellow Gator. You are awesome and I cannot wait to support your goals.
Eric Cao
Posted at 04:06h, 15 AugustLet’s go Sam =D!
Shalini Sairi
Posted at 05:09h, 15 AugustAll the best
Michelle Chiapputi
Posted at 11:12h, 15 Augustvoting for Sam
Spencer Hickman
Posted at 22:12h, 17 August?
Hayelom Fitsum
Posted at 17:50h, 19 AugustBest AP Bio Teacher in the World
Hannah Beisswingert
Posted at 08:43h, 21 AugustHope you be an astronaut! Saw on reddit
the grinch
Posted at 08:50h, 21 Augusthell yeah
some handle
Posted at 14:58h, 21 AugustI noticed this rule “Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Engineering, or Technology field OR currently enrolled in an accredited degree program”. After, listening to the video, I am under the impression Sam has a bachelors in Music and now teaches science at the highschool level. Is he working on another degree? Would have been nice if he discussed his experience with 3D printing instead of giving us tourist info about Denver and plugging his band. I have decided to vote for a different candidate.
For Your Information
Posted at 17:34h, 25 AugustSam has a bachelor’s degree in science, although I’m not sure if it’s mentioned in the video. Where did you get that he has a bachelors in music?
Sam Long
Posted at 17:44h, 25 AugustHey friend, I do have a HBSc. in Physiology from the University of Toronto 2013. Check the video description, I put the 3d printing experiment proposal there. Cheers.
some one
Posted at 03:11h, 01 September” I have decided to vote for a different candidate.” And you had to announce that, why?
Evan Hildebrandt
Posted at 15:46h, 21 AugustLet’s go Sam!
Debbie Knight
Posted at 13:49h, 26 AugustGo getem Sam!
Naomi C
Posted at 13:26h, 27 AugustI hope you succeed Sammy!
Oliver Borja
Posted at 14:52h, 30 AugustSupport coming in from Las Vegas, Nevada! Best of luck to you Sam!
Kadin diorio
Posted at 15:50h, 30 AugustSam long is one of my teachers and he deserves it so much. He makes me feel safe and I’m able to talk to him about anything
brody walling
Posted at 21:06h, 30 Augustgo mr. long
Cass Chatfield
Posted at 23:35h, 30 AugustGo get ‘em Gator!
Alex Flores
Posted at 07:15h, 31 AugustYou’ve got this Mr. Long!!! You inspire us. GO GET ‘EM GATORS!!! ?
Holly Pippos
Posted at 17:46h, 31 Augustgood luuuuuck!
Evelyn J
Posted at 19:16h, 31 AugustKnock ‘em dead!
Ally Rodriguez
Posted at 19:59h, 31 AugustHey! You don’t know me, I
Agustin González
Posted at 21:57h, 31 AugustDo it!
Lupe Garcia
Posted at 23:59h, 31 AugustFair winds and following seas
Amy
Posted at 00:19h, 01 SeptemberWin!
Alice Montero
Posted at 00:20h, 01 SeptemberGood luck in outer space
Jamie Chesbrough
Posted at 00:20h, 01 SeptemberI wish you the best
Trinity Livingston
Posted at 00:49h, 01 SeptemberThis is amazing! He’s the perfect candidate for this!
coel a. canth
Posted at 00:49h, 01 SeptemberGo off, king
Jon Logan
Posted at 00:57h, 01 SeptemberHope you’re selected, dude!
Remy Lucien
Posted at 00:57h, 01 SeptemberGood luck!
Angela Brown
Posted at 01:04h, 01 SeptemberYou have my vote, honeybee
Pella W
Posted at 01:06h, 01 SeptemberIs this how you vote? So many candidates were amazing but I saw you on Reddit and you just seem so genuine. I wish I had teachers as passionate as you.
Jonah Hill
Posted at 01:34h, 01 SeptemberI’m rooting for you!!!
Ronald Miami
Posted at 01:35h, 01 SeptemberHave fun in space bruh. I’m sorry for how DSST treated you and I honest to God wish I could’ve stopped the other kids. You are a great teacher and a great guy.
Cas Marquardt
Posted at 01:47h, 01 SeptemberGo for it!
Jay Collins
Posted at 01:57h, 01 SeptemberGo Sam!!
Eleanor Baker
Posted at 02:01h, 01 SeptemberGood luck!
Quan V. Nguyen
Posted at 02:23h, 01 SeptemberGood luck, friend
Patrick Eder
Posted at 02:38h, 01 SeptemberGood luck, I hope you succeed!!!
– a fellow trans guy in STEM
Sam Tysinger
Posted at 03:10h, 01 SeptemberYou got this Sam! I believe in you dude!
Gabi Meyerson
Posted at 03:25h, 01 SeptemberGood luck!
Ace M
Posted at 03:27h, 01 SeptemberGood luck friend
Heidi J
Posted at 03:52h, 01 Septemberyou got this bro!
Gage Heeszel
Posted at 04:05h, 01 Septemberyea
Osiris Brown
Posted at 04:22h, 01 SeptemberVoting for Sam!
Sadie Beltran
Posted at 04:32h, 01 SeptemberGood luck Sam!!
Asgar Faun Davey
Posted at 08:57h, 01 SeptemberSam’s story is an inspiration, and he deserves the chance to change history.
Sarah Schmiege
Posted at 16:35h, 01 SeptemberSam is inspiring and he would be an awesome choice for this! Go get it, Sam!
ella daisy
Posted at 18:27h, 01 Septembervoting for sam !!!!