Robotic Spider Space Builders

Aerospace firms have agreed to test 3D printing robots in space.

21:06 26 October 2016

Aerospace firms are to develop robots that can build 3D-printed spacecraft in orbit. The Nasa-backed venture aims to launch a machine in space and test if it can print and assemble trusses – the wire frame scaffold for supporting solar panels, antennae, sensors and all other parts of a working spacecraft.

 

The ultimate vision of the project is to knit all the parts together by 3D-priting them. This allows space agencies to construct bigger structures and satellites in space.

 

The clever spider bots are the brainchild of Washington-based Tethers Unlimited Inc (TUI), which has completed a deal with commercial satellite firm Space Systems Loral (SSL).

 

‘The Dragonfly program is a tremendous opportunity for us to demonstrate the readiness of in-space manufacturing technologies,’ said Dr Rob Hoyt, CEO of Firmamentum.

 

Speaking about the technology in 2013, Dr Hoyt said: ‘On orbit fabrication allows the material for these critical components to be launched in a very compact and durable form, such as spools of fibre or blocks of polymer, so they can fit into a smaller, less expensive launch vehicle.'

 

‘Once on orbit, the SpiderFab robotic fabrication systems will process the material to create extremely large structures that are optimised for the space environment

 

‘This radically different approach to building space systems will enable us to create antennas and arrays that are tens to hundreds of times larger than are possible now, providing higher power, higher bandwidth, higher resolution, and higher sensitivity for a wide range of space missions.’