Space station's 3-D printer makes first part

/ Courtesy of nasa.gov

Mankind has taken another step forward in its mission to conquer space: 3-D printing in zero gravity.

A 3-D printer delivered to the International Space Station two months ago made its first creation Monday: a faceplate reading “Made in Space, NASA.” The plate was to be fixed back onto the printer.

Made in Space refers to the California-based company that supplied the printer.

"When the first human fashioned a tool from a rock, it couldn't have been conceived that one day we'd be replicating the same fundamental idea in space," Aaron Kemmer, chief executive officer, said in a statement, according to Associated Press.

Some 20 more objects will be printed over the next few weeks for analysis back home. NASA hopes to use 3-D printing to make parts for broken space equipment.