In 2016, NASA began launching HP ZBook Workstations to the International Space Station (ISS). Approximately 120 ZBooks will be deployed to support its mission operations and utilization objectives including sparing.
In 2017, NASA selected the HP OfficeJet 5740 Printer as a “Next Generation Printer” to replace the existing printing capability onboard the ISS. In response to this selection, HP developed a custom HP ENVY Zero-Gravity Printer for use in the ISS.
While the bulk of the HP ENVY Zero-Gravity printer is off-the-shelf, NASA had a list of requirements that the printer needed in order to safely operate onboard the ISS including:
▪ Paper management in zero-G
▪ Flame retardant plastics
▪ Waste ink management in zero-G
▪ Glass removal
▪ Wired and wireless connectivity
▪ Printing in multiple orientations (0⁰, 90⁰.180⁰ & 270⁰ positions)
▪ Environmental Testing (EMI, Materials, Acoustics, Flammability, Off-gassing, Power Compatibility, etc.)
The zero-G requirements were the most challenging to meet and verify due to their unique nature. Through creative reengineering and the use of specialized materials and 3D printed components, the HP ENVY Zero-Gravity Printer successfully met all of NASA’s requirements
The ISS Crew members print about two reams of paper a month in total across all printers. Hardcopies are used for procedural and mission critical information like Emergency E-Books, inventory Return trajectories, timelines, and personal items, including letters and photographs from home.
The HP ENVY Zero-Gravity Printers are currently scheduled to launch to the ISS on the Space-X 14 rocket.
The International Space Station Partnership consists of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) and the RSA (Russian Federal Space Agency). This includes 15 countries: Canada, Japan, Russia, the United States, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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