3D printing tech used to develop safer space suit

BEIJING: Chinese researchers have used 3D printing technology to develop a safer space suit for spacewalking astronauts.

A research center under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has used a 3D printer to create vent pipes and the flanges connecting the pipes used on an extravehicular space suit.

The vent pipe and the flange can improve the reliability and safety of the space suit, researchers said.

The researchers will use the technique to make more parts, according to 'China Space News'.

Chinese astronauts have three kinds of space suit - inside-capsule suit, inside-capsule jacket and extravehicular space suit.

The inside-capsule space suit is used in case the pressure changes in the spaceship, usually during launch and landing periods.

The blue and lightweight inside-capsule jacket is used during normal flight, and is more convenient for work in the spaceship or space station, 'Xinhua' news agency reported.

The extravehicular space suit is the most complicated, providing life support system for astronauts during spacewalks.