Description: Additive manufacturing was demonstrated in a thermal vacuum chamber before being performed on an International Space Station (ISS) payload. Core technologies were developed and demonstrated in a manner that retires risk and builds confidence in the system capabilities. The Project developed the listed four technology subsystems. 1. Extruder that successfully operates in a space-like environment 2. Traversing system for out-of-volume printed part manipulation 3. Robotic assembly for printed and pre-fabricated simulated spacecraft components 4. In-Situ Inspection and Validation. Made In Space (now Redwire) accredits several STMD programs, including Tipping Point, for the successful development and demonstration of gravity-independent 3D printing and manufacturing capability. Through SBIR contracts and Flight Opportunities demonstrations, Made In Space built and used the first 3D printer to operate in space. Subsequently, NASA awarded an extension of the Tipping Point contract to demonstrate the ability of a small spacecraft, now On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Maintenance -2 (OSAM-2), to manufacture and assemble structural beams in low-Earth orbit, which will enable future science and space exploration missions. OSAM-2 is planned for in-space demonstration in 2024.

Benefits:

Archinaut, the versatile in-space robotic precision manufacturing and assembly system, dramatically reduces spacecraft cost, reduces the limitations rocket launch places on spacecraft design, and removes astronauts from harm’s way. Traditionally, satellite design has been constrained by launch-shroud size and launch load/environment survivability requirements. Similarly, due to lift capacity limits and the high risk and low availability of astronaut EVA for assembly, creating large space-based structures, such as space stations, has been a once-in-a-generation endeavor. Archinaut minimizes or removes these and other design limitations.