Biosynthesized Thermoplastic/Regolith Composites for Closed-Loop In-Space Manufacturing

Allison Christy

NASA NTRS · 20260007758

Biosynthesized Thermoplastic/Regolith Composites for Closed-Loop In-Space Manufacturing

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Abstract

In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) is vital to supporting a sustained human presence on the Moon or Mars. With payload launch prices ranging from $4,000 to more than $1 million per kg, reducing payload mass is of critical interest. Using in-situ resources for ISM is particularly attractive as it allows for a system of Earth-independent manufacturing for the Lunar surface, reducing the initial payload mass that is required for current ISM systems that rely on terrestrially synthesized materials. This talk presents new composite materials made from Lunar and Martian regolith and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a thermoplastic that offers the ability to be biosynthesized in space using various in-situ resources like organic waste or atmospheric CO2 as feedstock. The addition of regolith provides a route to creating materials with a diverse set of properties which will be discussed. The development of these materials represents the first step in creating a system of closed-loop ISM, which is critical to establishing a lasting human presence in space.

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In situ resource utilization In space manufacturing Regolith Composites Bio-based materials

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Allison Christy. Biosynthesized Thermoplastic/Regolith Composites for Closed-Loop In-Space Manufacturing. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20260007758

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Bio-based materials subject Composites subject In Space Manufacturing subject In situ resource utilization subject Regolith subject

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