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Completed TRL 4 (started at 1, targeting 4)
Project Objective
The work by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) seeks to develop In-space joining for manufacturing structures and components in microgravity via robotic autonomous and semi-autonomous methods.
Project Description
In-space joining for manufacturing structures and components via laser beam welding and other melt-fusion and even solid-state processes will be greatly enhanced by robotic autonomous and human-in-the-loop semi-autonomous methods.
The work by UTEP and MSFC seeks to incrementally develop this very technology. Initially, the work will be developed in 2D on an air table, where the robotic components swarm consisting of three robots, two fixturing and one welding arm bearing, will glide and maneuver on the air table via pulsed air jets on their individual platforms thereby simulating thrusters. Eventually this 2D complex dance will be generalized to 3D.
Currently the entirety of the 2D fixturing and alignment, guidance and setup has been perfected. The avionics and telemetry work well enough to bring, align and fixture two plates abutting to within NASA specifications for the subsequent laser weld for the join.
The robotic arm bearing the laser (say) is being tested for space operations onboard a near future planned orbital sounding payload mission.
As mentioned, the eventual goal will be to combine these all into a 3D payload for microgravity testing of the swarm if unconnected and independent, or the multi armed robot(s) if a combined design is preferred, both approaches being incorporated and incorporate-able for future designs and missions.
Project Results and Conclusions
Currently the entirety of the 2D fixturing and alignment, guidance and setup has been perfected. The avionics and telemetry work well enough to bring, align and fixture two plates abutting to within NASA specifications for the subsequent laser weld for the join.
The robotic arm bearing the laser (say) is being tested for space operations on board a near future planned orbital sounding payload mission.
As mentioned, the eventual goal will be to combine these all into a 3D payload for microgravity testing.
Microgravity and vacuum environments are hard to work. Therefore builds of joined structures and components would benefit from robotics, autonomous or even as human assists. The project is working on gradual development of these manufacturing in-space technologies. If successful, the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment could see enhanced manufacturing capability in the foreseeable (near) future. Scaffolds and super structures for gas stations and research laboratories assembly and manufacturing are well within the stated goals of applications for an autonomous or even astronaut assisting, i.e., semi-autonomous joining/welding manufacturing platform(s).
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