{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":34952,"title":"Massive Modularity of Space and Surface Systems","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10729,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10726,"level":3,"code":"TX07.2.3","title":"Surface Construction and Assembly","definition":"Surface construction and assembly covers technologies for construction, assembly, disassembly, and reverse assembly of surface structures, including both traditional construction, assembly, and disassembly concepts and advanced systems.","exampleTechnologies":"Instruments and devices functioning in the relevant gravity environment, including consolidation and stabilization of regolith on large scales, including microwave and concentrated solar irradiation and the addition of physical or chemical additives; manufacturing of structural elements using feedstock derived from locally-produced and recycled materials; assembly of structural and environmental barrier systems from terrestrially-delivered and/or locally-derived elements; quality assurance and mission suitability of structural elements and environmental barrier systems constructed and assembled in-situ. Also includes design tools configured to accommodate broad-specification feedstock properties into design safety factors and manufacturing tolerances for construction and assembly systems, human-robotics (e.g. low-latency telerobotics), autonomous robotic systems","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":1,"currentTrl":1,"endTrl":2,"benefits":"
This project benefits human exploration missions by investigating technologies to utilize massively modular assembly, ISRU, and additive manufacturing. These technologies will be crucial to a sustained manned presence on Mars or other bodies.
","description":"This project will conduct a systems level investigation of a modular design and operations approach for future NASA exploration systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on surface Mars in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) manufactured systems to determine new designs that maximize modularity for manufacturing and for operations that can enable longlife systems through repair and reuse.
The current paradigm of “single launch, single use” space systems may not be the most economically efficient approach for deep space missions. Space systems designed for servicing, repair, and assembly are considered more sustainable and life-cycle cost effective. A number of past and present activities to develop and mature assembly and servicing capabilities have been undertaken by government, industry and academia. However, space systems are still not being designed for massive modularity due to a perceived risk in vehicle assembly.
Recent advances in autonomous robotics as demonstrated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Orbital Express program show that autonomous robotic assembly is credible and continually advancing. Another technology area inextricably linked to structural modularity is additive manufacturing (AM); this is particularly true for surface systems where ISRU is required for long duration missions. AM (also known as 3-D printing) is well suited to building parts and structural components in some finite volume (e.g. modules), but not for manufacture of large monolithic structures.
The third and missing ingredient to usage of massively modular space systems is reliable, efficient, and reversible joining technologies for modular systems. While various mechanical joining technologies exist, few are designed for space based robotic applications where the joining technology must be reversible for repair/reuse. To this end, the proposed effort will seek to identify and develop a suite joining technologies for massive modularity. For example, the reversibility of ultrasonic welding of plastics and ceramics will be investigated.
In summary, this effort will assess the worldwide advancements in autonomous robotic assembly, new AM advancements, and reversible joining technology. With systems design using massive modularity, this activity emphasizes autonomous robotic assembly/repair/reuse to achieve long term reliability. Key technology advances include: 1) reversible joining at the module and component level; 2) Mars ISRU based structures manufacturing, assembly, and operations; and 3) smart interfaces for mechanical thermal, and electrical connectivity. The proposed activity will culminate with the identification and initial development of modular structures design and joining technologies for NASA and a rigorous system benefits analysis for future missions.
","startYear":2015,"startMonth":10,"endYear":2016,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":485764,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":0,"firstName":"W","lastName":"Belvin","fullName":"W K Belvin","fullNameInverted":"Belvin, W K","middleInitial":"K","primaryEmail":"w.k.belvin@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":335305,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Lapointe","fullName":"Michael R Lapointe","fullNameInverted":"Lapointe, Michael R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"michael.r.lapointe@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":392233,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Richard","lastName":"Howard","fullName":"Richard W Howard","fullNameInverted":"Howard, Richard W","middleInitial":"W","primaryEmail":"richard.w.howard@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":506560,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Julie","lastName":"Williams-Byrd","fullName":"Julie A Williams-byrd","fullNameInverted":"Williams-Byrd, Julie A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"julie.a.williams-byrd@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"coInvestigators":[{"contactId":491950,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":0,"firstName":"William","lastName":"Doggett","fullName":"William R Doggett","fullNameInverted":"Doggett, William R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"bill.doggett@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":145166,"canUserEdit":false,"displayOrder":0,"firstName":"Erik","lastName":"Komendera","fullName":"Erik E Komendera","fullNameInverted":"Komendera, Erik E","middleInitial":"E","primaryEmail":"komendera@vt.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":18388,"fileName":"FY16 IRAD--PentaChart_Belvin_Modualar","fileSize":267212,"objectId":27033,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"260.9 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":18388,"fileName":"FY16 IRAD--PentaChart_Belvin_Modualar","fileSize":267212,"objectId":27033,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"260.9 KB"}],"id":27033,"title":"Massive Modularity of Space Systems PentaChart","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":34952,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"LaRC CIF","active":true,"description":"Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) allocates a small portion of the NASA workforce and procurement budget to internal research and development to feed early stage innovation in technology and exploration. Activities within the Center Innovation Fund are proposed and led by NASA scientists and engineers. These activities and creative initiatives pursue emerging technologies that leverage talent and capabilities at NASA Langley Research Center.
Through the Independent Research and Developments activity, NASA Langley Research Center allocates funds to invest in early stage, high-payoff technologies and systems that are aligned with the NASA and Langley strategic plans and have high potential for future applications.
Some projects will align only with either CIF or IRAD support, but many are supported by a combination of both programs to leverage the most from limited resources. The investment in these early stage technologies is intended to mature them to the point that, if successful, they can substantially influence future Mission Directorate programs and projects, and receive follow-on support from NASA programs, external partners, or through commercialization.
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