NASA wants a "factory" in space to end with repeated launches

After signing an agreement with start-up Relativity Space, which specializes in 3D printing of launchers and rocket engines, NASA has awarded a lucrative contract to another start-up in the sector: Made In Space. 

This $ 73.7 million contract aims to accelerate the development of this young shoot whose main activity will be to set up "  robotic factories  " in space, in order to manufacture satellite components.

A production line ... in orbit!

Is Additive Manufacturing a Future Solution for the Aerospace Industry? This is likely and NASA seems well on the way to taking advantage of this technology, as one space agency executive, Jim Reuter, explains: "  Robotic manufacturing and assembly in space are undeniable assets and fundamental capabilities for the future exploration of space  ". 

This public/private partnership with NASA is, in fact, an extension of a contract concluded in 2016 with Made In Space for its Archinaut program. The objective here is to demonstrate the viability of manufacturing and assembling structures in space, in low Earth orbit, using robotic systems as well as 3D printing. 

In its statement, NASA explains that these technologies will allow to enjoy many benefits; benefits mainly related to the limitations imposed by launchers, whose payload is constrained by size and weight criteria. 


Thus, additive manufacturing and assembly in orbit reveal great potential with many applications. Besides entrusting robots with the maintenance tasks currently performed by astronauts, NASA may be able to remotely construct large structures such as communication antennas and telescopes. Finally, small satellites could benefit from larger reflectors, thus enabling energy-hungry missions as well as less expensive launches.

Archinaut One: a demonstrator planned for 2022

For this, the start-up Mountain View will develop a demonstrator named Archinaut One whose goal is to manufacture a structure and assemble its own solar panels in space. NASA says Archinaut One could be launched at the earliest in 2022 from New Zealand, thanks to  Rocket Lab's Electronmini-rocket.

Once in orbit, Archinaut One will fabricate two 10-meter-long structures, on which photovoltaic cells will be deployed, providing power five to eight times greater than conventional solar panels that power a satellite of fewer than 10 meters. 200 kg. 

Below, an animation from Made In Space showingArchinaut One at work.