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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
The capability to be addressed is related to the enhanced additive manufacturing (popularly referred to as 3D printing) technology for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of small spacecraft. What sets this activity apart from normal 3D printing is that this team embeds wiring and electronic components into the walls of the printed structures. A series of test articles using common and experimental materials will be designed, built and tested for environmental and radiation characterization and protection. The resulting data will provide a best practices guide for choosing different materials to print an entire CubeSat.
The primary benefit of this effort is a paradigm change in the manufacturing process of small spacecraft with a print-on-demand capability. These techniques potentially allow the use of new materials with advantages in strength, weight and radiation protection. They also provide significantly reduced expense of spacecraft manufacturing by eliminating re-tooling costs, reducing non-recurring engineering costs and streamlining the space qualification process of new satellites. The results from this work will provide a best practices guide for choosing different materials to print an entire CubeSat including the development of complex integrated components. This work benefits multiple organizations.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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