![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2016\/10\/3d_printer_at_estec_open_day\/16170630-1-eng-GB\/3D_printer_at_ESTEC_Open_Day_small.jpg\")
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\nAn astronaut-shaped demonstration of 3D printing in the NL Space Tent during last Sunday\u2019s ESA Open Day in the Netherlands.\n<\/p>\n
\nMore than 8700 visitors braved rain showers to attend the fifth Open Day in five years at ESA\u2019s ESTEC<\/a> technical centre in Noordwijk. Popular attractions included four astronauts, Rosetta scientist Matt Taylor recounting the mission\u2019s final, daring landing and a spectacular replica of the ExoMars lander.\n<\/p>\n \nThe NL Space Tent showcased the cutting-edge work of Dutch companies and research institutes within the space sector. The stand shown here belongs to West End<\/a>, a 70 year-old Dutch engineering firm supporting aerospace test and simulation activities, which frequently includes the full-scale satellite testing performed at ESTEC<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nThe 22 cm-high astronaut seen here is being printed in biodegradable polyester, with a complete version seen to the right of the Ultimaker<\/a> 2+ printer. The company typically uses 3D printing for scale modelling and test items \u2013 the black item seen in the right foreground is a scale model of a pilot\u2019s \u2018G-seat\u2019 produced for a US customer.\n<\/p>\n \nFor more picture highlights from the Open Day, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \nAn astronaut-shaped demonstration of 3D printing in the NL Space Tent during last Sunday’s ESA Open Day in the Netherlands.\n<\/p>\n \nMore than 8700 visitors braved rain showers to attend the fifth Open Day in five years at ESA’s ESTEC<\/a> technical centre in Noordwijk. Popular attractions included four astronauts, Rosetta scientist Matt Taylor recounting the mission’s final, daring landing and a spectacular replica of the ExoMars lander.\n<\/p>\n \nThe NL Space Tent showcased the cutting-edge work of Dutch companies and research institutes within the space sector. The stand shown here belongs to West End<\/a>, a 70 year-old Dutch engineering firm supporting aerospace test and simulation activities, which frequently includes the full-scale satellite testing performed at ESTEC<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nThe 22 cm-high astronaut seen here is being printed in biodegradable polyester, with a complete version seen to the right of the Ultimaker<\/a> 2+ printer. The company typically uses 3D printing for scale modelling and test items – the black item seen in the right foreground is a scale model of a pilot’s ‘G-seat’ produced for a US customer.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n