Edmontonian develops new 3D printer for space use

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Madison Feehan of Edmonton has been interested in the world of science and aerospace since she was in elementary school.

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In 9th grade, she developed her first conceptual design for a three-dimensional printer for space use and eventually entered a competition run by NASA. Even though she didn’t win, she was still excited about the project and felt it had value.

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She looked for the NASA department that accepts new funding ideas and submitted a proposal there – but was later told it was the wrong department.

Fast forward to when she was 16: Feehan received an email from the same office where she had submitted her project. It said they would ask volunteers to review various scientific projects and proposals from the university.

“I didn’t have a lot of experience,” Feehand said. “Plus, I’ve been interested in science for a long time… I applied and, funnily enough, I ended up getting the job and I didn’t realize I was hired until they mailed me my first check.”

Dual-use 3D printer

Feehan is now 21 years old and has been working for NASA for five years. He is the CEO of Space Copy, founded in 2022.

At Space Copy, Feehan said they are currently in the research and development phase of a 3D printer that will extract local resources from the lunar surface and convert them into usable infrastructure.

Feehan was inspired after working in various departments at NASA at the time of Artemis I’s launch. She said there are concerns about the costs associated with sustaining astronauts’ lives in space long-term, saying much of the cost comes from the rocket payload, which are deliveries of supplies needed to sustain them of the life of astronauts would be sent.

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“As I was doing this kind of initial customer exploration, I realized that the application also has a dual use here on Earth: in defense and construction, as well as helping people rebuild after natural disasters,” Feehan said.

Strengthening Science in Alberta

Feehan recently returned from space conferences in Milan and London, where she and another person represented Canada at the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth and discussed Canada’s technological innovations and plans for global impact.

She recently met with stakeholders in the field – including retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and government leaders like Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi – to discuss getting more credit for the science and bringing attention to what’s happening in Alberta direct.

Discussions included greater attention to women in science and the challenges facing women entrepreneurs, particularly in aerospace.

“A lot of these conversations have been about how we can create partnerships between industry, academia and government and also give more recognition to less recognized groups to bring more diversity into this space ecosystem,” Feehan said.

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Feehan said Space Copy currently has several projects with post-secondary institutions across Canada and the United States.

They recently launched a collaboration with the University of Alberta’s Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Laboratory to develop the university’s first 3D printer that can withstand harsh lunar soil and break it down into material that can be used for 3D printing.

[email protected]
@kccindytran

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