In particular, the American Astronomical Society's Division of Planetary Sciences has weighed in on Pluto's behalf.

ECONOMIST: Pluto out in the cold

The crew is led by Nasa astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, and includes Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and planetary sciences expert Steve Squyres.

BBC: UK astronaut Tim Peake makes 'asteroid splashdown'

"It would be nice if you could do that but I'm not sure it would work - it depends whether it is a simple mechanical component or something more complex, " Prof Pillinger, who now works at the Planetary and Space Sciences department at the Open University, told BBC News.

BBC: 3D printers could use Moon rocks, say scientists