The European Space Agency has announced a major breakthrough in additive manufacturing. Its metal 3D printer has printed a metal part in an open space environment for the first time. The device, developed by Airbus and partners, was launched to the International Space Station earlier this year and installed in ESA's Columbus module. The aim of the experiment is to demonstrate the potential of additive manufacturing in space, which could enable autonomous future missions. With plans to explore the Moon and Mars, where missions will be longer and farther from Earth, the need to manufacture spare parts in situ becomes critical. Additive manufacturing will allow the necessary parts and tools to be created on demand, reducing reliance on restocking. ESA's metal 3D printer was the first device to successfully print a metal component in microgravity. Previously, only plastic 3D printers were used on the ISS.