Microsoft, Marvel, and NASA team up to 3D print a Zune in space

Jamie Groh, Florida Today
·2 min read
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Microsoft is teaming up with the "Guardians of the Galaxy" to resurrect the Zune, a one-time rival to Apple's iPod, via a new space-based partnership.

In a new partnership with Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3" and the National Lab aboard the International Space Station, Microsoft is working with Redwire Space to engage students in the process of in-space 3D printing. Star-Lord, the central figure played by Chris Pratt, uses a Zune as his music streaming device in the movie that hits theaters Friday, May 5.

“Space is critical to inspiring future generations. Redwire is proud to bring together our own super heroteam with Microsoft and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ to help educate and inspire students in the realworld to pursue careers in STEAM,” said Redwire Chief Growth Officer Mike Gold in a release.

This Empowering the Galaxy patch was produced by Redwire Space to represent a collaboration with the ISS National Lab, Microsoft, and the Marvels Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie. It features the shape of the Guardians team suit icon, Cosmo, a Soviet space program dog who remains on Knowhere to help the Guardians rebuild, and Rocket, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy holding a Microsoft Zune.

Using the Redwire-operated Additive Manufacturing Facility aboard the ISS, also known as a 3D printer, Microsoft wants to help students bridge the intersection of science fiction and reality by engaging them in the process of manufacturing a Zune in space.

In an advertising spot, members of the Guardians have to make a pitstop at the International Space Station to pick up a freshly minted 3D-printed Zune to replace the one that was damaged while gallivanting through the galaxy. Teachers and students are encouraged to visit the Zune.net website to take advantage of educational materials like a teacher's guide that provides lessons and activities based on the advertisement. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the "Azure Space: Diversity in STEM" learning challenge.

Participants will be able to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process of in-space manufacturing as well as other skills like coding.

“As a global champion for STEAM education, Microsoft is working with Redwire to bolster outreach tostudents by drawing inspiration from the science and technology themes in ‘Guardians of the GalaxyVol. 3’,” said Steve Kitay, Microsoft Azure Space director, in a release.

This isn't the only team-up between the Guardians and NASA that has happened recently.

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon and back slated for launch in 2024, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover, made an appearance at the movie's premiere last week, with Wiseman sharing photos from the event to his Twitter account.

Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon and back make an appearance at Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 movie premiere. From the left: Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover.
The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon and back make an appearance at Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 movie premiere. From the left: Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy inspire students with 3D space tech