Joseph Young, a research engineer at MSU's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, operates the BeAM Modulo 250 directed energy deposition system, using a laser to melt blown metal powder to build parts in an open 3D space. The center's experts in additive manufacturing are using advanced equipment to determine the feasibility of producing parts from the powder of metal scrap or simulated Martian soil. The research is sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and NASA.