Originally published November 25, 2014 at 7:52 PM | Page modified November 25, 2014 at 11:02 PM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The first 3-D printer in space has popped out its first creation.

The 3-D printer delivered to the International Space Station two months ago made a sample replacement part for itself this week. It churned out a new faceplate for the print head casing.

Space-station commander Butch Wilmore removed the small plastic creation from the printer Tuesday, a day after its manufacture.

Some of the plastic piece stuck to the print tray, said NASA spokesman Dan Huot. He noted its part of the learning process and will be further investigated.

About 20 objects will be printed in the next few weeks, all for return to Earth for analysis, NASA said. The space agency hopes to one day use 3-D printing to make parts for broken equipment in space an on-demand machine shop, according to project manager Niki Werkheiser.

Made in Space, the Northern California company that supplied the space stations 3-D printer, called it a transformative moment. The newly created, rectangular faceplate considered functional by the company includes the Made in Space name, as well as NASAs.

When the first human fashioned a tool from a rock, it couldnt have been conceived that one day wed be replicating the same fundamental idea in space, Aaron Kemmer, chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Similar 3-D items will be duplicated at the companys offices in Mountain View for comparison.

The stronger-than-expected adhesion to the print tray could mean that the layer-by-layer bonding process is different in weightlessness, NASA noted.

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Space stations 3-D printer makes own replacement part