In a historic first, NASA's orbiting 3D printer successfully created a human knee meniscus aboard the International Space Station in 2023—marking a remarkable leap forward for tissue engineering in microgravity.

The BioFabrication Facility's achievement demonstrates that the unique conditions of space can actually improve how we construct human tissues. Without gravity's constraints, cells and biological materials can be arranged with unprecedented precision, opening doors to growing replacement tissues for injuries and diseases. This breakthrough could eventually mean better treatment options for patients on Earth, from knee injuries to organ transplants. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: What we build in space could soon heal bodies on Earth.