On-Site Fabrication Infrastructure to Enable Efficient Exploration and Utilization of Space
- Paper number
IAC-08.D3.2.7
- Author
Mr. Joe T. Howell, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. John Fikes, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Unlike past one-at-a-time mission approaches, system-of-systems infrastructures will be needed to enable ambitious scenarios for sustainable future space exploration and utilization. On-site fabrication infrastructure will be needed to support habitat structure development, tools and mechanical part fabrication, as well as repair and replacement of ground support and space mission hardware such as life support items, vehicle components and crew systems. The on-site fabrication infrastructure will need the In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) element, which is working in conjunction with the In Situ Resources Utilization (ISRU) element, to live off the land. The ISFR element has worked closely with the ISRU element in the past year to assess the ability of using lunar regolith as a viable feedstock for fabrication material. Preliminary work has shown promise and the ISFR Element will continue to concentrate on this activity. Fabrication capabilities have been furthered with the process certification effort that, when completed, will allow for space-qualified hardware to be manufactured. Materials being investigated include titanium and aluminum alloys as well as lunar regolith simulants with binders. This paper addresses the latest advancements made in the fabrication infrastructures that supports efficient, affordable, reliable infrastructures for both space exploration systems and logistics; infrastructures that allow sustained, affordable and highly effective operations on the Moon, Mars and beyond.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D3.2.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.