Articles tagged with Space Manufacturing
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
The panel discussed how advances in engineering are unlocking new scientific missions and driving breakthroughs. Emerging technologies, such as commercial capabilities and artificial intelligence, are reshaping the mission landscape.
The 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly addressed the challenge of preserving dark and quiet skies for astronomical observations and satellite technology. The session considered scientific, technical, operational, and regulatory perspectives to balance benefits with environmental and societal concerns.
A recent study from the University of Cambridge predicts that space launch costs will plummet over the next few years, falling more than 90% by 2040. The cost of sending a kilogram of payload into low Earth orbit is expected to drop from $3,868 last year to as little as $273 per kilo by 2040.
University of Delaware researchers have successfully tested geopolymers in space, demonstrating higher strength than identical samples stored on Earth. The findings hold promise for long-term lunar construction, with regolith potentially used to produce construction materials without energy-intensive processing.
MIT engineers have developed a new propulsion system that integrates chemical and electrical thrusters, allowing small satellites to perform both fast maneuvers and precise adjustments. The system uses a special propellant called ASCENT, which powers both types of thrusters, enabling smaller and more flexible spacecraft.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.
Researchers discovered the Zwan-Wolf effect in the Martian atmosphere, which helps move solar wind plasma around the planet and makes it less dense. This finding advances scientists' understanding of how the sun interacts with the solar system, particularly on unmagnetized bodies like Mars.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new laser 3D printing method that can create extremely durable structures using simulated lunar dirt. The study found that the material's properties depend on the surface onto which it is printed, and that environmental factors such as oxygen levels and temperature affect its stabil...
Researchers found that fungi can extract valuable metal palladium and platinum group elements from meteorite material in microgravity. The study suggests that microbial biomining could have terrestrial benefits for efficient resource extraction and create sustainable biotechnologies.
A high-radiation-tolerance GaN detector was fabricated to enable real-time two-dimensional position detection of individual alpha particles and xenon heavy ions. The detector exhibited stable operation at radiation levels significantly higher than those tolerated by conventional Si-based detectors.
A collaboration of bacteria, including Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, produces natural cement-like materials that can turn Martian regolith into solid concrete. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize construction on Mars and provide benefits for habitat integrity and life-support systems.
The article proposes a circular economy approach to reduce waste, increase durability, and repurpose spacecraft and satellites. Data analysis and digital technologies will be essential for developing sustainable practices.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully produced muscle tissue using a new biofabrication system called G-FLight in microgravity. The process enables rapid production of viable muscle constructs with similar cell viability and muscle fibers as those printed under gravity.
Researchers found that manipulating liquid waves can reduce energy transmission through barriers by up to 60%, with a 1.5-millimeter change in meniscus shape causing significant impact
The University of Surrey has launched a new Space Institute to tackle urgent global challenges, focusing on climate, resilience, and secure connectivity. The Institute aims to train 10% of the UK's future space workforce and support small space companies through postgraduate degrees and professional courses.
The University of Leicester's Space Park Leicester is designing a Double-Walled Isolator (DWI) to safely store and analyze extra-terrestrial materials, including Martian samples. The project aims to provide a high-level of containment and cleanliness to avoid cross-contamination.
The NOM4D project seeks to transform space infrastructure development by manufacturing precision metal structures in orbit. Researchers are developing laser-forming technology to overcome size and weight limitations of rocket cargo, enabling more efficient construction in space.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University has developed an autonomous self-growing technology using synthetic lichens to create biomaterials for 3D printing structures on Mars. This innovation eliminates the need for human intervention, making it feasible to build structures in demanding environments with limited resources.
Researchers propose integrated solution combining ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding, heat pipe grinding wheels, and minimum quantity lubrication to achieve high-efficiency precision machining with environmental sustainability. This process reduces grinding forces, minimizes thermal damage, and improves surface quality.
The CLOVE project aims to investigate Venus's atmospheric temporal variabilities and climate evolution with a series of CubeSats launched every three years over a 15-year period. The mission will provide valuable insight into volcanic activity, solar-atmosphere interactions, and planetary climate shifts.
Data-model fusion (DMF) integrates model-based and data-driven methods to reduce limitations in smart manufacturing and digital engineering. It enhances interpretability and accuracy, with applications in product design, manufacturing, experimentation, testing, verification, and maintenance.
Three NSF-funded investigations are launching on NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 mission to ISS National Laboratory. Investigations aim to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, develop new materials, and study active matter in microgravity environment.
Dr. Wei Li is creating a virtual lunar welding platform to simulate welding in the moon's harsh environment, addressing temperature fluctuations and extreme vacuum conditions. The project aims to enable reliable large structure assembly on the moon, a crucial step for human colonization.
Crew-9 astronauts conducted research on protein crystallization studies and a new drug for Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's. They also supported student-led experiments, contributing to the next generation of explorers.
The Crew-10 mission will support cutting-edge biomedical investigations and NSF-funded physical science projects through the ISS National Lab. Astronauts will conduct experiments on the International Space Station, with findings benefiting humanity and driving commerce in low Earth orbit.
The Texas-France Space Hub is a three-year initiative that fosters global partnerships in aerospace, expanding commercial space presence in both countries. The program includes a six-month accelerator program based in Paris and Houston, helping emerging French companies connect with industry leaders and essential resources.
The University of Texas at Arlington is joining forces with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to operate a new biomanufacturing center. This partnership will expand UTA's capabilities and provide access to financial support and industry partners, enabling researchers to develop and commercialize production of new bioprod...
MIT engineers have developed a fully 3D-printed electrospray engine that can be produced rapidly and at a lower cost than traditional thrusters. The device generates stable and uniform flow of propellant, producing as much or more thrust than existing droplet-emitting electrospray engines.
Establishing a permanent lunar presence will depend on the use of AI, robotics, and 3D printing to adaptively respond to challenges. The moon's natural resources, such as regolith, can also reduce the need for Earth-launched supplies.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully recycled carbon nanotube fibers without losing their structure or properties. The discovery positions CNT fibers as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like metals and polymers, offering a solution to waste management problems in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Researchers propose a novel strategy for highly controllable micro-nano fabrication using focal volume optics in transparent solids. The approach enables the creation of composite structures with finer structures and tunable properties, opening up new avenues for photonics and nanophotonics applications.
The NSF is seeking proposals for research on transport phenomena and fluid dynamics in space, leveraging the ISS National Lab's microgravity environment. Selected projects will receive funding to advance fundamental and translational research benefiting humanity.
Scientists have discovered birth sites of gigantic elliptical galaxies, suggesting large gas flows and galaxy collisions created these ancient systems. The research, published in Nature, may finally unravel the enigma of how these giant galaxies formed.
SwRI's novel Space Weather Solar Coronagraph (SwSCOR) will provide early detection and characterization of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs), helping to predict geomagnetic storms and protect Earth assets. The instrument suite includes rapid data reduction software, delivering processed images to NOAA forecasters within minu...
The SpaceX CRS-31 mission to the International Space Station includes studies on in-space manufacturing, cardiac health, and a method for repairing spacecraft damaged by debris. Multiple payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory are bound for the orbiting outpost.
Researchers create interlocking glass bricks that can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks, aiming to reduce embodied carbon in construction. The 3D-printed bricks are designed to be reused and repurposed, promoting a circular construction method.
A new study found significant improvements in aerobic fitness after 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training sessions compared to traditional, moderate exercise. Researchers suggest this time-efficient approach can be safely and effectively implemented in clinical practice for stroke survivors.
The Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) is a wide-field X-ray telescope that will image Earth's magnetospheric boundaries, revealing invisible structures and processes. It is part of the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission, which aims to study the solar winds' impact on our planet's magnetic environment.
The team created stable microbial therapeutics using synthetic extremophiles, maintaining potency and function over time despite extreme temperatures and harsh manufacturing processes. These formulations have potential applications in healthcare, agriculture, and space exploration.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to make microbes hardy enough to withstand industrial processing, high temperatures, radiation, and long-term storage. The method involves mixing bacteria with food and drug additives, resulting in stable formulations that can be used in various applications.
Researchers develop new method to fabricate anti-fatigue 3D-printed titanium alloy by regulating microstructure and defects, showing remarkably high fatigue resistance and specific strength. The study reveals potential advantages of 3D printing technology in producing structural components.
Researchers at RMIT University created a 50% stronger titanium lattice cube than the strongest alloy of similar density used in aerospace applications. The material's unique lattice structure design distributes stress evenly, making it suitable for medical devices, aircraft, and rocket parts.
Drexel University researchers develop a lightweight alternative to metal components in satellites by coating 3D-printed polymers with MXene, a conductive nanomaterial. The MXene-coated waveguides weigh up to eight times less than traditional aluminum ones and maintain nearly 95% transmission efficiency.
West Virginia University engineer Yuhe Tian is developing powerful artificial intelligence tools that can reimagine the sustainability of chemical manufacturing. She aims to harness quantum intelligence to innovate environmentally friendly chemical plant designs.
Researchers aim to connect manufacturers and cybersecurity experts to create a community interested in solving digital manufacturing security issues. The team plans to build a website for communication and hosting workshops, conferences, and student design competitions.
Concentrations of potentially harmful chemical compounds in ISS dust exceed median values in US and Western European home floor dust. The study guides design and construction of future spacecraft by highlighting the importance of material choices.
Scientists have developed a new method to manufacture high-performance aluminum matrix composites using asymmetric cryorolling, resulting in improved mechanical properties and increased ductility. The technique produces sheets with fewer microvoids, finer grain size, and higher density of dislocations.
Researchers demonstrate that perovskite solar cells damaged by proton radiation in low-earth orbit can recover up to 100% of their original efficiency via thermal vacuum annealing. The study used ultrathin sapphire substrates and found that fluorine diffusion from the dopant causes defects, which can be reversed by heat treatment.
Researchers have implemented Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) as an independent information carrier for optical holography, leading to OAM multiplexed holography. The new design approach, MHC-OAM, uses spatial light modulators to achieve multiramp helical conical beams with different parameters serving as information encryption or decryp...
Washington State University engineers have created a way to 3D-print two types of steel in the same circular layer using two welding machines. The resulting bimetallic material proved stronger than either metal alone due to pressure caused between the metals as they cool together.
A research team from Taiwan has found a way to massively speed up aerial image simulations using wavelength scaling and fast Fourier transformation. The new algorithm improves computation speed by 4000-5000 times while maintaining only a slight intensity deviation.
Researchers have developed flexible photodetectors that can detect visible to long-wave infrared radiation, covering the full spectrum of greenhouse gases without complex optical components. The new detectors are simple and cost-effective to make, with production at room temperature.
The European Space Agency has commissioned an engineering study to test the reliability of meta-optical elements in space. The collaboration aims to advance remote sensing systems while overcoming size and weight constraints, enabling innovative applications for Earth observation data.
The University of Texas at El Paso has joined a $2.5 million NASA-led project to develop 3D-printed rechargeable batteries using lunar and Martian regolith. Researchers will utilize additive manufacturing processes, such as material extrusion and vat photopolymerization, to produce shape-conformable batteries for space applications.
A new nano-barrier coating has been developed to protect ultra-lightweight carbon composite materials from radiation damage and electrostatic resistance. The innovative coating adds a layer of protection, reducing the need for heavy shielding materials and maintaining stability in space.
The institute aims to shorten the cycle required to design, manufacture, and test parts that can withstand space travel conditions. It will develop detailed computer models of additively manufactured parts using digital twins.
UConn professor Yupeng Chen leads a project with Eascra and Axiom Space to develop therapeutic biomaterials in space, leveraging microgravity for better structural integrity and therapeutic outcomes. The $1.86M NASA contract supports two flights over two years, paving the way for commercialization of in-space manufacturing strategy.
University of Central Florida researchers have discovered a method that uses microwaves to melt lunar soil, coupled with beneficiation technology, may be the best option for building safe and economical lunar landing pads. This approach could increase microwave absorption by up to 80% using magnetic fields, making it more energy-effici...
The study investigates the degradation of carbon fiber-reinforced ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites at temperatures above 2000°C. The results show that the amount of zirconium in the alloy affects the composite's oxidation resistance, and modifying the matrix composition is necessary to prevent degradation.