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Results for “Space manufacturing”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Development of space manufacturing systems concepts utilizing lunar resources

Results of a NASA sponsored study to evaluate the merits of constructing solar power satellites using lunar and terrestrial resources are reviewed. Three representative lunar resources utilization (LRU) concepts were developed and compared with a previously designed earth baseline concept, and major system hardware elements as well as personnel requirements were defined. LRU for space construction was shown to be competitive with earth baseline approach for a program requiring 10 to the 5th metric tons per year of completed satellites. Results also indicated that LRU can reduce earth launched cargo requirements to less than 10% of that needed to build satellites exclusively from earth materials, with a significant percentage of the reduction due to the use of liquid oxygen derived from lunar soil. A concept using the mass driver to catapult lunar material into space was found to be superior to the other LRU logistics techniques investigated.

Bock, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS2015

In-Space Manufacturing: Pioneering a Sustainable Path to Mars

ISM is responsible for developing the on-demand manufacturing capabilities that will be required for affordable, sustainable operations during Exploration Missions (in-transit and on-surface) to destinations such as Mars. This includes advancing the needed technologies, as well as establishing the skills & processes (such as certification and characterization) that will enable the technologies to go from novel to institutionalized. These technologies are evolving rapidly due to terrestrial markets. ISM is leveraging this commercial development to develop these capabilities within a realistic timeframe and budget. ISM utilizes the International Space Station (ISS) as a test-bed to adapt these technologies for microgravity operations and evolve the current operations mindset from earth-reliant to earth-independent.

Werkheiser, Niki↗
NASA NTRS1974

2200 C oxidizing atmosphere furnace for space manufacturing

The design of a high temperature furnace is presented which uses electrically conducting ceramic oxide heating elements. The heating elements are made of either thoria or stabilized zirconia which become conductive when preheated to 700 to 1000 C. These heater elements can be operated to 2200 C in oxidizing or inert atmospheres. The furnace is being designed to have a temperature which can be controlled to within 11 C. By a replacement of the heater element, the working cavity can be changed from isothermal to a cavity with a selected specific axial temperature gradient of up to 200 C per centimeter. This furnace concept is appropriate for the growth of crystals which might be grown best in an oxidizing atmosphere such as sapphire (melting point 2040 C), yttrium aluminum garnet (1970 C) or yttrium orthoaluminate (1875 C).

Halbach, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Systems analysis of a potential space manufacturing facility

Results of a preliminary design study of the system elements comprising a manufacturing facility in earth orbit are presented. The elements discussed include cis-Lunar transportation, Lunar base, materials transport, factory, living facilities, construction support and energy supply. An evolutionary path of development, production and deployment is presented and step-wise interrelationships discussed.

Driggers, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Nonterrestrial utilization of materials: Automated space manufacturing facility

Four areas related to the nonterrestrial use of materials are included: (1) material resources needed for feedstock in an orbital manufacturing facility, (2) required initial components of a nonterrestrial manufacturing facility, (3) growth and productive capability of such a facility, and (4) automation and robotics requirements of the facility.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space station automation study. Automation requirements derived from space manufacturing concepts. Volume 1: Executive summary

The two manufacturing concepts developed represent innovative, technologically advanced manufacturing schemes. The concepts were selected to facilitate an in depth analysis of manufacturing automation requirements in the form of process mechanization, teleoperation and robotics, and artificial intelligence. While the cost effectiveness of these facilities has not been analyzed as part of this study, both appear entirely feasible for the year 2000 timeframe. The growing demand for high quality gallium arsenide microelectronics may warrant the ventures.

Source record↗