El Salvador Deployed its First 3D Printed Stratospheric Probe
Don Bosco University in El Salvador has unveiled a project that puts 3D printing in the spotlight. Through the Micro Macro Observatory (OMM), the university presented the Zuyat mission, a project that successfully launched the country’s first stratospheric probe. The probe’s capsule was 3D printed and reached an altitude of 31.32 kilometers.
The capsule for the Zuyat Mission is inspired by the design of space capsules and is the result of years of research. The project began in 2021, when a group of students from the Astronomy Association participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and came up with the idea of turning high-altitude balloons into a research focus. This initial goal eventually evolved into a formal program within the university, which now celebrates the successful launch of the probe.
The 3D printed capsule houses an electrical system inside to transmit environmental data.
Earlier this year, the probe was launched and reached an altitude of 31.32 kilometers—about three times higher than a commercial airplane flies. Students and faculty from UDB’s Engineering and Aeronautics departments collaborated on its development. The capsule was designed and manufactured by Manuel Pleitez, an aeronautical engineer and professor.
During the project presentation at the university, he emphasized that this part of the probe was a major challenge, as it had to meet requirements such as system safety, resistance to low temperatures, and pressure tolerance. After an extensive study of materials and geometries, ABS was chosen as the printing material due to its durability. Thanks to this, the capsule withstood temperatures as low as –60 °C in the stratosphere.
How does the 3D-printed probe work?
The purpose of this first mission was to measure environmental variables. Inside the probe, equipment was installed, including “a GPS, an onboard computer, a power system, and antennas for telemetry,” according to OMM director Brisa Terezón. Once in the stratosphere, the probe transmitted the data via radio frequency to a ground station.
During the project presentation, those in charge emphasized that this first test opens the door to new research. Examples include the study of volcanoes and, in the longer term, the development of El Salvador’s first satellite.
The stratospheric probe’s capsule was 3D printed using ABS.
What do you think about El Salvador’s first stratospheric probe? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages! Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel. For more 3D printing news in the aerospace and defense sectors, check out our dedicated page HERE.
*Photo Credits: elsalvador.com
