September 29, 2013 at 7:21 pm3d printer will print space designs directly in orbit
Instead of making constructions on Earth, and then disassembling them into small pieces to pack into a launch vehicle, NASA engineers take a radically different approach.
They plan to send a 3d printer, robots and a bunch of raw materials into orbit, and then “print” the details and assemble them directly in space.
This will allow, according to the developers, to create structures on a kilometer scale.
A month ago, NASA announced that they were investing in a company that was developing SpiderFab technology to build large objects in open space.
Currently, if you need to launch a large object into orbit, the method used is to build this object on the ground, developing it in such a way that it can be "packed" into a rocket. This approach is very expensive, and the size of the objects is strictly limited by the size of the launch vehicle.
Comparison of Existing Technology and
SpiderFab Designed
NASA Contracted with Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) for $ 500,000 to continue developing technology that will allow the use of a 3D printer and a robotic assembly to manufacture and connect large components directly in orbit.
SpiderFab technology will allow you to create objects on a kilometer scale.
Trusselator
In parallel with SpiderFab, Trusselator is developing, a device that will create rod systems for building large solar panels.
NASA plans to build antennas and telescopes the size of a football field to search for exoplanets like Earth and look for evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Presentation of the project in PDF.
Radiation protection printed on a 3D printer.
They plan to send a 3d printer, robots and a bunch of raw materials into orbit, and then “print” the details and assemble them directly in space.
This will allow, according to the developers, to create structures on a kilometer scale.
A month ago, NASA announced that they were investing in a company that was developing SpiderFab technology to build large objects in open space.
Currently, if you need to launch a large object into orbit, the method used is to build this object on the ground, developing it in such a way that it can be "packed" into a rocket. This approach is very expensive, and the size of the objects is strictly limited by the size of the launch vehicle.
Comparison of Existing Technology and
SpiderFab Designed
NASA Contracted with Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) for $ 500,000 to continue developing technology that will allow the use of a 3D printer and a robotic assembly to manufacture and connect large components directly in orbit.
SpiderFab technology will allow you to create objects on a kilometer scale.
Trusselator
In parallel with SpiderFab, Trusselator is developing, a device that will create rod systems for building large solar panels.
NASA plans to build antennas and telescopes the size of a football field to search for exoplanets like Earth and look for evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Presentation of the project in PDF.
Radiation protection printed on a 3D printer.