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Space Exploration

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    $\begingroup$ It's worth noting that NASA has stated they will only accept metric nuts and bolts on the Moon, although it seems the ISS still uses both. $\endgroup$
    – PearsonArtPhoto ♦
    Commented Oct 21, 2015 at 13:10
  • $\begingroup$ @PearsonArtPhoto if that is the case, I am assuming that applies to new stuff as I suspect all the Apollo stuff is SAE, which means you might need to update your answer here if you don't have SAE tools, everything there now is just going to be scrap. $\endgroup$
    – James Jenkins
    Commented Oct 21, 2015 at 13:19
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, that only applies to future missions, I think the decision was made in 2004 or so. I'm sure they'd bring tools if they were going to work with Apollo hardware. $\endgroup$
    – PearsonArtPhoto ♦
    Commented Oct 21, 2015 at 13:30
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    $\begingroup$ The US doesn't use the Imperial system of units and never has; it uses the US system. The Imperial system was created after American independence, and for understandable reasons wasn't adopted in the US. But both systems use the international foot and inch, so as far as nuts and bolts it doesn't matter. $\endgroup$
    – hobbs
    Commented Oct 21, 2015 at 18:59
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    $\begingroup$ @called2voyage: I wonder how durable the 3D printed items are. Normally tools need to withstand quite a torque, especially if you tighten a bolt on an airtight, pressurized seal. $\endgroup$
    – SF.
    Commented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:02