User talk:Eap5266

Blog Response to "NASA Funding 3D Food Printer Research"

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Nasa-3d-printing-food-pizza-mars,news-17053.html

Last time, I discussed 3D printing food in nursing homes. This article discusses 3D printing in outer space. Though, technically, it's the same idea, I feel much more positively about NASA taking on this task.

First of all, the cost has a much greater worth. Astronauts may be in space for years without being able to obtain fresh food. There is also limited space on a space shuttle. With this technology, ships would be launched with a printer and a compact supply of powdered foods and liquids needed to last the astronauts their entire trip. This may be more cost effective than the nursing home example. The use of 3D printing in the nursing home was more for enjoyment and on a much larger scale. NASA would use this for space missions and on a much smaller scale. Also, cost wise, NASA is more capable of affording this type of technology than the average nursing home.

Safety seems less of a concern here. The ingredients are stated clearly. Dehydrated food is mixed with water and oil to create appetizing meals. In this field, those in charge wouldn't want to harm the consumers with unsafe additives.

NASA would make great use of 3D printing foods. Maybe, a small scale undertaking under secure regulation is the best way to start looking at this sort of technology in the US. Plus, NASA is an acronym we can all trust.