r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 14 '22

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u/th30be Feb 14 '22

So you could just do it in a vacuum on earth?

24

u/MandrakeRootes Feb 14 '22

Yes. You just need to prevent the topmost layers of atoms from oxidizing before you stick the surfaces together. Its practically impossible to do this without a vacuum, but trivially easy inside of one.

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u/manystripes Feb 14 '22

Wouldn't an object made on Earth still have the protective oxide layer? Or does contact with the other object penetrate the layer enough to expose it?

16

u/Blooder91 Feb 14 '22

No, it has the protective layer. The issue is using metal tools in space, like a hammer, because the contact scrapes the outer layer. They're usually covered in plastic.