Structural testing
on deploying a satellite power system to
orbit. Other near-term applications for
Archinaut might include antennas,
space-based telescopes and large spacebased
reflectors. “We’re leaning on our
existing experience with manufacturing
in space and we’re really pushing the
boundaries of what’s possible,” says Rush.
Archinaut One will use a robotic arm
and their Extended Structure Additive
Manufacturing Machine (ESAMM) to
autonomously and precisely place
components and 3D print two 10m beams,
which will deploy two solar arrays while
the beams are being manufactured.
“If successful, this has the ability to
significantly increase the power capability
of existing equivalently-sized spacecraft.
Once the arrays are deployed, we are
interested in the health of the beams and
1
48 DECEMBER \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
“You can deploy
structures to
orbit that are
larger than you
can pack inside
of a rocket”
2
arrays over time, since there is a desire for long-term use
of in-space manufactured structures,” says Charles
Adams, senior subject matter expert systems engineering
at NASA’s Technology Demonstration Missions program.
LARGESCALE STRUCTURES
To experts such as Adams and his colleague at NASA,
Lawrence Huebner, iSM has the potential to have a
profound impact on space. It could enable the remote,
in-space construction of communications antennae,
large-scale space telescopes and other complex structures
as well as be used to deploy large surface area power
systems and reflectors for small satellites. As well as
eliminating the volume limits imposed by rockets, it
THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL TEST PLATFORM
The International Space Station (ISS)
provides the best opportunity for engineers
to test manufacturing methods and
hardware in orbit.
Aerospace company Tethers Unlimited is
testing the Refabricator on the ISS, which
recycles plastic for use in manufacturing.
The Refabricator will demonstrate plastic
recycling and 3D printing capabilities for
use in long-duration manned missions.
The company is also working on several
in-space manufacturing technologies
for metal parts. Dr Robert Hoyt, Tethers
Unlimited co-founder says, “We’re working
with NASA’s In Space Manufacturing
Program under a public/private partnership
to develop a FabLab capable of precision
manufacturing mission-critical parts. That
effort is in the first phase of a planned three
phase effort leading to a flight test.”
“We are operating the ‘Refabricator’
payload to demonstrate sustainable
manufacturing and recycling on the ISS,”
says Hoyt. “These early capabilities involve
plastic materials for simple items like
utensils and storage containers. We are
1 // An Archinaut
manufacturing and
assembly unit enters the
Thermal Vacuum Chamber
(TVAC) at Northrop
Grumman’s facility in
Redondo Beach, California.
The TVAC simulates the
thermal and pressure
environment of a Low
Earth Orbit.
2 // The Made in Space
Recycler uses polymer
materials to produce
filament that is transferred
to a 3D printer and could
be used on deep space
missions (Photo: Made
In Space)
3 // A Northrop Grumman
Antares rocket, with
Cygnus resupply spacecraft
onboard, launches from
Pad-0A of NASA’s Wallops
Flight Facility in Virginia
(Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls)
working to extend the range of polymeric
materials that can be recycled and printed,
with a focus on enabling on-demand
manufacturing of food-contact and
medical-safe items.”
The vision for Made In Space is to
develop the technology and infrastructure
for humanity to sustainably live and work in
space, says Rush. “In-space manufacturing
and assembly capabilities have the potential
to transform the way we utilize space and
driving that capability forward is at the core
of our mission.”
/AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM