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Nov 24, 2015 | By Alec

While few institutions in the world are able to push the envelope of innovation as much as NASA, space enthusiasts will probably know that NASA’s new approach also includes often working with innovative outside developers – all with the general purpose of taking space exploration to the next level. While 3D printing is also regularly used, NASA obviously envisions a very large role for the technology in space, as they have just tapped Made In Space for the development of the so-called ‘Archinaut’ in-space 3D printing factory.

That tap originates from the Space Technology Mission Directorate, STMD, a special NASA branch that coordinates the development of new technologies for future missions. They have just announced that NASA will engage in a series of public-private partnerships – twenty-two in total – of which Made In Space is just one, but with a spectacular focus on 3D printing. ‘These awards enable us to continue to foster partnerships with the commercial space sector that not only leverage capabilities to meet NASA's strategic goals, but also focus on U.S. industry markets that are at a tipping point for commercialization and infusion,’ Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for STMD, said in their announcement. ‘At NASA, technology drives exploration and partnering with the private sector in this way supports the innovation economy and creates jobs.’

All these technological goals revolve around so-called ‘Tipping Point’ technologies, which have the potential to significantly advance a technology’s maturation and commercial application. Made In Space is obviously a good candidate for this, as they have been working on top-level space-bound 3D printing applications since being founded in 2010. Previous collaboration with NASA have already been very successful; in 2014 they built and successfully tested the world’s first zero-gravity 3D printing experiment, and even 3D printed in the vacuum of space earlier this year.

This time around, they are taking 3D printing to a completely new level. They have been specifically contracted for developing the Archinaut program: a ‘Versatile In-Space Robotic Precision Manufacturing and Assembly System’. This will be part of NASA’s Robotic In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly of Spacecraft and Space Structures program. According to reports, the goal is almost like a robotized 3D printing factory – full with pre-made components to install and on-site 3D printed parts, making this minifactory capable of assembling just about any part of machine needed on board the spacecraft. It’s a combination, in short, of additive manufacturing, aggregation and assembly without the need for astronaut extravehicular activity.

As Made In Space’s president Andrew Rush explained, the Archinaut is truly revolutionary. ‘Archinaut is being designed from the ground up to be a truly cross-cutting technology, providing entirely new space capabilities for NASA and other government missions as well as both pre-existing commercial satellite manufacturers and emerging commercial space platforms,’ he explained. Jason Dunn, Co-Founder and CTO of Made In Space, confirmed that. ‘Archinaut is a major milestone on the roadmap for bringing large scale manufacturing to space. This announcement is a result of the technology development that has been underway since our company’s inception and sets the stage for what is to come in both the public and private sectors,’ he added.

To ensure success, Made In Space will also team up with Northrop Grumman and Oceaneering Space Systems, with Made In Space leading the team. Northrop Grumman bring their electronic interfaces and external thermal control analysis expertise to the project, while Oceaneering Space Systems will design the machine’s manipulator arm. According to Made In Space’s co-founder and chief engineer Mike Snyder, they are very thrilled to work with these established space experts. ‘In addition to transforming the current state-of-the-art for space manufacturing, the development of the Archinaut capability will be a great opportunity for Made In Space to collaborate with established space companies which possess complimentary resources and proven expertise,’ he said.

The results of this new and fascinating collaboration are expected in a few years from now, and if successful should enable NASA to efficiently ship complex structures into deep space. Assembled by robots, rather than by astronauts, this will make new exploration missions through antennas, base stations and more a viable reality.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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