Tools and parts made by a 3-D printer are displayed at Made in Space on Sept. 16 in Mountain View, Calif.

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. NASA is preparing to launch a 3-D printer into space next year, a toaster-sized game changer that greatly reduces the need for astronauts to load up with every tool, spare part or supply they might ever need.

The printers would serve as a flying factory of infinite designs, creating objects by extruding layer upon layer of plastic from long strands coiled around large spools. Doctors use them to make replacement joints and artists use them to build exquisite jewelry.

In NASA labs, engineers are 3-D printing small satellites that could shoot out of the Space Station and transmit data to Earth, as well as replacement parts and rocket pieces that can survive extreme temperatures.

"Any time we

Project manager Matthew Napoli, left, and director of research and development Michael Snyder test a 3-D printer, which eventually will be used in space. (Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press photos)

The spools of plastic eventually could replace racks of extra instruments and hardware, although the upcoming mission is just a demonstration printing job.

For the first test of a 3-D printer in space, slated for fall 2014, NASA had more than a dozen machines to choose from, ranging from $300 desktop models to $500,000 warehouse builders. All, however, were built for use on Earth, and space travel presented challenges, from the loads and vibrations of launch to the stresses of working in orbit, including microgravity, differing air pressures, limited power and variable temperatures. As a result, NASA hired Silicon Valley startup Made In Space to build something new.

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NASA will launch 3-D printer into space