Derek Quenneville of 3DPhacktory with a functioning planetary gear that was printed all at one time on there 3D printer February 12 2013 DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR 
(Photo : David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Optomec, a company based in New Mexico may soon be instrumental to NASA's space missions. More companies are also looking to the company's technologies for their operations.

Optomomec's technology may soon be aiding NASA's space projects. The company is now becoming a pioneer of a new form of 3D printing: the aerosol jet printing, as reported by KRQE News 13. 

While the technology itself is not new, this is the first time that NASA is tapping on them for this technology. The Albuquerque-based company claimed that they have been experimenting and researching the aerosol jet printing since the late 90s. 

Why is NASA suddenly interested in this technology? According to the COO of Optomec, the technology will allow NASA to carry out missions unlike any they have carried out before.  

"NASA is very interested in our aerosol jet technology because it allows them to do things that they haven't been able to do before," said Doug Welter. 

Welter added that aerosol jet technology is not the ordinary 3D printing systems out there. Aerosol jet technology makes it possible to print significantly smaller and uniquely-shaped detectors in a more efficient way. 

"With aerosol jet technology, they can print such fine features that they can construct these detectors that are much smaller and lighter than they have previously. Of course, that is important in space application," said Welter.