The Bioprint FirstAid Handheld Bioprinter uses viable cells and biological molecules to print tissue structures.

Although the International Space Station has had a fantastic safety record during its almost 25-year existence, that doesn’t mean astronauts don’t face tremendous risks. In the event of a medical emergency, the crew doesn’t have access to a fully equipped modern hospital and doctors, for instance. There is absolutely no kind of help from the outside possible, which is why all astronauts are required to pass medical training before arriving at the space station.

As we extend our wings to places outside our home planet, having a space-compatible medical infrastructure is becoming increasingly paramount. This is why astronauts aboard the station are currently testing a novel bioink 3D printer that is capable of creating tissue structures made from their own skin cells.