Bridging the gap. That's the mission of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, or TDM: to bridge the gap between need and means, between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, between early proof-of-concept tests and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into robust NASA, government and commercial space missions. The TDM program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, focuses on crosscutting technologies with strong customer interest that meet the needs of NASA and industry by enabling new missions or greatly enhancing existing ones. Chosen technologies will be thoroughly ground- and flight-tested in relevant operating environments -- reducing risks to future flight missions, gaining operational heritage and continuing NASA’s long history as a technological leader. These newly proven technologies will enable future NASA missions to pursue bolder goals; make human missions safer and more rewarding; and enable new expansion of space industry in the government and commercial sectors.
NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
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NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
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Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate 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 with in 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 the NASA Centers.
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When coupled with a state-of-the-art composite cryogenic reactant tanks, the overall energy density of the fuel cell power system is projected to be approximately 1,000 watt-hr/kg which is 10X the current state-of-the-art lithium batteries. Such a dramatic increase in energy density is a disruptive and much needed breakthrough in energy storage for NASA's portable power needs. The cross section of the UED fuel cell shows the fuel cell bipolar assembly and the membrane electrode assembly. The stack of cells are provided H2 and O2 on perpendicular faces of the stack. The water is separated from the incoming oxygen by micro-grooved plates that wick the water to the oxygen manifold and ultimately to the water exit of the stack where a high bubble-point gas/liquid membrane separator allows the water to leave the stack, but prevents incoming oxygen from escaping with the water. To minimize mass, the bipolar plates are expected to be made of plastic doped with an electrically conductive filler laminated with pyrolytic graphite for heat conduction, and the endplates structures are expected to be stiff corrugated plastic.","benefits":"These applications are counting on a substantial technological breakthrough in energy storage. Besides the energy density, NASA will potentially need these power sources to operate at extremely low temperatures (≤ -100°C). 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","programId":70,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36654,"title":"Technology Demonstration Missions","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"TDM"},"acronym":"OSAM-2","description":"NASA’s Artemis missions will return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained human presence – which is a prelude to crewed Mars missions. The agency also seeks to mature in-space manufacturing and construction capabilities.
NASA and its partners are developing robotic technologies to efficiently and autonomously manufacture and assemble hardware, components, and tools in space. Additive manufacturing – better known as 3D printing – can build and assemble complex components in space, deliver on-demand hardware, and allow for structures larger than current rockets can deliver and deploy to orbit.
In 2019, NASA awarded a contract to Made In Space (now Redwire Corporation) to demonstrate this capability in orbit with a spacecraft roughly the size of a refrigerator. The technology demonstration will build, assemble, and deploy a surrogate solar array – a complete solar array that will not be used to power the spacecraft.
The NASA and Redwire partnership is referred to as both On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing 2 (OSAM-2) and Archinaut One. NASA’s OSAM-1 mission is developing complementary technologies.
OSAM-2 is expected to launch no earlier than 2024. The technology demonstration will build two beams and deploy a surrogate solar array utilizing robotic manipulation. Once deployed and positioned in orbit, the small spacecraft will 3D print two beams. While the first beam is being printed, the solar array will be unfurled from the spacecraft. After the 33-foot (ten-meter) beam is completed and locked into place by the robotic arm, the arm will reposition the printer, which will then print a 20-foot (six-meter) beam from the other side of the spacecraft.
A successful orbital flight will demonstrate the technology’s ability to reduce risk and achieve measurable cost savings over traditional cargo launches to space.
Partners:
An in-space robotic manufacturing system could be adapted to support a variety of applications, such as autonomously building large space telescopes ready for orbital deployment, or delivering state-of-the-art communications antennae, radar booms or other extra-large hardware. It could also have in-situ, or onsite, planetary applications, emplacing a power grid, fuel depot or other built-on-the-spot requirement on the surface of the Moon or Mars.
In-space robotic manufacturing could also reduce the inherent risks of astronaut spacewalks and could eliminate hardware or satellite size limits imposed by the available cargo space and mass-lifting capacity of modern rockets. Additive manufacturing could enable deployment of power systems and other large-surface-area hardware currently only capable of being launched to space by the largest rockets.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth","Low_Earth_Orbit"],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":5,"trlEnd":7,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":401201,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Kenny","fullName":"Robert J Kenny","fullNameInverted":"Kenny, Robert J","middleInitial":"J","email":"robert.j.kenny@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":337,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":505934,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Peugeot","fullName":"John W Peugeot","fullNameInverted":"Peugeot, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.w.peugeot@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":340,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":28,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Dankanich","fullName":"John W Dankanich","fullNameInverted":"Dankanich, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.dankanich@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":378,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"startDateString":"Jul 2019","endDateString":"Jul 2023"},"technologyOutcomePartner":"Other","technologyOutcomeDate":"2018-12-01","technologyOutcomePath":"Advanced_To","details":"This project led to OSAM-2 (Archinaut).
","closeoutLinkUrl":"","infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing Demonstration-2)","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":true,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Dec 2018","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"December 2018","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"Other","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Advanced To","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""},{"technologyOutcomeId":106322,"projectId":93903,"project":{"projectId":93903,"title":"Archinaut Technology Development","startDate":"2016-10-01","startYear":2016,"startMonth":10,"endDate":"2018-12-31","endYear":2018,"endMonth":12,"programId":70,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"TDM","isActive":true,"description":"Bridging the gap. That's the mission of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, or TDM: to bridge the gap between need and means, between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, between early proof-of-concept tests and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into robust NASA, government and commercial space missions. The TDM program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, focuses on crosscutting technologies with strong customer interest that meet the needs of NASA and industry by enabling new missions or greatly enhancing existing ones. Chosen technologies will be thoroughly ground- and flight-tested in relevant operating environments -- reducing risks to future flight missions, gaining operational heritage and continuing NASA’s long history as a technological leader. These newly proven technologies will enable future NASA missions to pursue bolder goals; make human missions safer and more rewarding; and enable new expansion of space industry in the government and commercial sectors.
NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
","programId":70,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36654,"title":"Technology Demonstration Missions","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"TDM"},"description":"Additive manufacturing was demonstrated in a thermal vacuum chamber before being performed on an International Space Station (ISS) payload. Core technologies were developed and demonstrated in a manner that retires risk and builds confidence in the system capabilities. The Project developed the listed four technology subsystems. 1. Extruder that successfully operates in a space-like environment 2. Traversing system for out-of-volume printed part manipulation 3. Robotic assembly for printed and pre-fabricated simulated spacecraft components 4. In-Situ Inspection and Validation. Made In Space (now Redwire) accredits several STMD programs, including Tipping Point, for the successful development and demonstration of gravity-independent 3D printing and manufacturing capability. Through SBIR contracts and Flight Opportunities demonstrations, Made In Space built and used the first 3D printer to operate in space. Subsequently, NASA awarded an extension of the Tipping Point contract to demonstrate the ability of a small spacecraft, now On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Maintenance -2 (OSAM-2), to manufacture and assemble structural beams in low-Earth orbit, which will enable future science and space exploration missions. OSAM-2 is planned for in-space demonstration in 2024.","benefits":"Archinaut, the versatile in-space robotic precision manufacturing and assembly system, dramatically reduces spacecraft cost, reduces the limitations rocket launch places on spacecraft design, and removes astronauts from harm’s way. Traditionally, satellite design has been constrained by launch-shroud size and launch load/environment survivability requirements. Similarly, due to lift capacity limits and the high risk and low availability of astronaut EVA for assembly, creating large space-based structures, such as space stations, has been a once-in-a-generation endeavor. Archinaut minimizes or removes these and other design limitations.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth"],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":5,"trlEnd":6,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":401201,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Kenny","fullName":"Robert J Kenny","fullNameInverted":"Kenny, Robert J","middleInitial":"J","email":"robert.j.kenny@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":337,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":505934,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Peugeot","fullName":"John W Peugeot","fullNameInverted":"Peugeot, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.w.peugeot@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":340,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":28,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Dankanich","fullName":"John W Dankanich","fullNameInverted":"Dankanich, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.dankanich@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":378,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"startDateString":"Oct 2016","endDateString":"Dec 2018"},"technologyOutcomeDate":"2018-12-07","technologyOutcomePath":"Closed_Out","details":"The Archinaut Technology Development project (ATDP) consisted of a base period, an option period, and an extension period. During the base period, ATDP raised the TRL of Made In Space’s Extended Structure Additive Manufacturing Machine (ESAMM) to 6. This was achieved in July 2017, when Made In Space successfully printed an 850 mm beam in a thermal vacuum chamber at the NASA Ames Research Center. Work on system requirements set the stage for Ground Based Manufacturing and Assembly System Hardware (GBMASH). A materials characterization study identified several candidates with interesting properties for space based structures. And COTS robotic arms were used to develop a system for robotic assembly.
During the option period, Made In Space developed GBMASH to test the combination of 3D printing, robotic assembly and in-situ verification and validation. GBMASH was successfully tested at Northrop Grumman’s Space Park facility in 2018. The testing raised the combined 3D printing and robotic assembly system to TRL 6. The combination of 3D printing, robotic assembly and in-situ verification and validation is referred to as the Archinaut suite of technologies, or Archinaut.
The extension period focused on ways to enhance Archinaut. Generative software was developed to quickly design and analyze 3D printed structures. The software was validated by parallel software simulations and hardware testing. Ultem 9085, a space qualified 3D printing thermoplastic and promising candidate for Archinaut design reference missions, underwent accelerated lifecycle testing. Improvements to the ESAMM design were developed and tested, culminating in a preliminary design of the next generation of ESAMM.
Work during ATDP advanced the Archinaut suite of technologies toward the goal of a satellite.
Bridging the gap. That's the mission of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, or TDM: to bridge the gap between need and means, between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, between early proof-of-concept tests and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into robust NASA, government and commercial space missions. The TDM program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, focuses on crosscutting technologies with strong customer interest that meet the needs of NASA and industry by enabling new missions or greatly enhancing existing ones. Chosen technologies will be thoroughly ground- and flight-tested in relevant operating environments -- reducing risks to future flight missions, gaining operational heritage and continuing NASA’s long history as a technological leader. These newly proven technologies will enable future NASA missions to pursue bolder goals; make human missions safer and more rewarding; and enable new expansion of space industry in the government and commercial sectors.
NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
","programId":70,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36654,"title":"Technology Demonstration Missions","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"TDM"},"description":"Additive manufacturing was demonstrated in a thermal vacuum chamber before being performed on an International Space Station (ISS) payload. Core technologies were developed and demonstrated in a manner that retires risk and builds confidence in the system capabilities. The Project developed the listed four technology subsystems. 1. Extruder that successfully operates in a space-like environment 2. Traversing system for out-of-volume printed part manipulation 3. Robotic assembly for printed and pre-fabricated simulated spacecraft components 4. In-Situ Inspection and Validation. Made In Space (now Redwire) accredits several STMD programs, including Tipping Point, for the successful development and demonstration of gravity-independent 3D printing and manufacturing capability. Through SBIR contracts and Flight Opportunities demonstrations, Made In Space built and used the first 3D printer to operate in space. Subsequently, NASA awarded an extension of the Tipping Point contract to demonstrate the ability of a small spacecraft, now On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Maintenance -2 (OSAM-2), to manufacture and assemble structural beams in low-Earth orbit, which will enable future science and space exploration missions. OSAM-2 is planned for in-space demonstration in 2024.","benefits":"Archinaut, the versatile in-space robotic precision manufacturing and assembly system, dramatically reduces spacecraft cost, reduces the limitations rocket launch places on spacecraft design, and removes astronauts from harm’s way. Traditionally, satellite design has been constrained by launch-shroud size and launch load/environment survivability requirements. Similarly, due to lift capacity limits and the high risk and low availability of astronaut EVA for assembly, creating large space-based structures, such as space stations, has been a once-in-a-generation endeavor. Archinaut minimizes or removes these and other design limitations.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth"],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":5,"trlEnd":6,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":401201,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Kenny","fullName":"Robert J Kenny","fullNameInverted":"Kenny, Robert J","middleInitial":"J","email":"robert.j.kenny@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":337,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":505934,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Peugeot","fullName":"John W Peugeot","fullNameInverted":"Peugeot, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.w.peugeot@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":340,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":28,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Dankanich","fullName":"John W Dankanich","fullNameInverted":"Dankanich, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.dankanich@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":378,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"startDateString":"Oct 2016","endDateString":"Dec 2018"},"relatedProjectId":32409,"relatedProject":{"projectId":32409,"title":"Ultra High Density Fuel Cells","startDate":"2014-11-01","startYear":2014,"startMonth":11,"endDate":"2015-10-01","endYear":2015,"endMonth":10,"programId":162,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"GRC CIF","isActive":true,"description":"Tthe goal of the Center Innovation Fund is to stimulate and encourage creativity and innovation in addressing the technology needs of NASA and the Nation. The GRC Center Innovation Fund is intended to provide GRC Civil Servants, potentially partnering with external organizations and other NASA Centers, with the opportunity to develop new ideas toward this goal, and to pursue their intellectual growth in areas that are deemed to be of strategic importance to the Center. The projects are high payback, highly innovative research proposals that could significantly impact future GRC programs.
","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"CIF","isActive":true,"description":"
Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate 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 with in 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 the NASA Centers.
","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":64,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"stockImageFileId":36643,"title":"Center Innovation Fund","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"CIF"},"parentProgramId":64,"programId":162,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36645,"title":"Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"GRC CIF"},"description":"The proposed innovation is a very lightweight fuel cell that uses passive techniques to move reactants into the fuel cell and remove the byproduct water and heat from the fuel cell. When coupled with a state-of-the-art composite cryogenic reactant tanks, the overall energy density of the fuel cell power system is projected to be approximately 1,000 watt-hr/kg which is 10X the current state-of-the-art lithium batteries. Such a dramatic increase in energy density is a disruptive and much needed breakthrough in energy storage for NASA's portable power needs. The cross section of the UED fuel cell shows the fuel cell bipolar assembly and the membrane electrode assembly. The stack of cells are provided H2 and O2 on perpendicular faces of the stack. The water is separated from the incoming oxygen by micro-grooved plates that wick the water to the oxygen manifold and ultimately to the water exit of the stack where a high bubble-point gas/liquid membrane separator allows the water to leave the stack, but prevents incoming oxygen from escaping with the water. To minimize mass, the bipolar plates are expected to be made of plastic doped with an electrically conductive filler laminated with pyrolytic graphite for heat conduction, and the endplates structures are expected to be stiff corrugated plastic.","benefits":"These applications are counting on a substantial technological breakthrough in energy storage. Besides the energy density, NASA will potentially need these power sources to operate at extremely low temperatures (≤ -100°C). The heat generated by fuel cells will mitigate against this constraint while batteries do not provide this same capability.","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":[],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":5,"trlEnd":5,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":233104,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Nelson","fullName":"John C Nelson","fullNameInverted":"Nelson, John C","middleInitial":"C","email":"john.c.nelson@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":269,"programId":162,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":1071309,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Meyering","fullName":"Gary F Meyering","fullNameInverted":"Meyering, Gary F","middleInitial":"F","email":"gary.f.meyering@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":275,"programId":162,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":4381573,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Maxwell","lastName":"Briggs","fullName":"Maxwell H Briggs","fullNameInverted":"Briggs, Maxwell H","middleInitial":"H","email":"maxwell.h.briggs@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_Contact","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":272,"programId":162,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"startDateString":"Nov 2014","endDateString":"Oct 2015"},"technologyOutcomePartner":"Other","technologyOutcomeDate":"2014-11-01","technologyOutcomePath":"Advanced_To","infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Ultra High Density Fuel Cells)","isIndirect":true,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":true,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Nov 2014","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"November 2014","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"Other","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Advanced To","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""},{"technologyOutcomeId":106332,"projectId":93903,"project":{"projectId":93903,"title":"Archinaut Technology Development","startDate":"2016-10-01","startYear":2016,"startMonth":10,"endDate":"2018-12-31","endYear":2018,"endMonth":12,"programId":70,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"TDM","isActive":true,"description":"
Bridging the gap. That's the mission of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, or TDM: to bridge the gap between need and means, between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, between early proof-of-concept tests and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into robust NASA, government and commercial space missions. The TDM program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, focuses on crosscutting technologies with strong customer interest that meet the needs of NASA and industry by enabling new missions or greatly enhancing existing ones. Chosen technologies will be thoroughly ground- and flight-tested in relevant operating environments -- reducing risks to future flight missions, gaining operational heritage and continuing NASA’s long history as a technological leader. These newly proven technologies will enable future NASA missions to pursue bolder goals; make human missions safer and more rewarding; and enable new expansion of space industry in the government and commercial sectors.
NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
","programId":70,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36654,"title":"Technology Demonstration Missions","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"TDM"},"description":"Additive manufacturing was demonstrated in a thermal vacuum chamber before being performed on an International Space Station (ISS) payload. Core technologies were developed and demonstrated in a manner that retires risk and builds confidence in the system capabilities. The Project developed the listed four technology subsystems. 1. Extruder that successfully operates in a space-like environment 2. Traversing system for out-of-volume printed part manipulation 3. Robotic assembly for printed and pre-fabricated simulated spacecraft components 4. In-Situ Inspection and Validation. Made In Space (now Redwire) accredits several STMD programs, including Tipping Point, for the successful development and demonstration of gravity-independent 3D printing and manufacturing capability. Through SBIR contracts and Flight Opportunities demonstrations, Made In Space built and used the first 3D printer to operate in space. Subsequently, NASA awarded an extension of the Tipping Point contract to demonstrate the ability of a small spacecraft, now On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Maintenance -2 (OSAM-2), to manufacture and assemble structural beams in low-Earth orbit, which will enable future science and space exploration missions. OSAM-2 is planned for in-space demonstration in 2024.","benefits":"Archinaut, the versatile in-space robotic precision manufacturing and assembly system, dramatically reduces spacecraft cost, reduces the limitations rocket launch places on spacecraft design, and removes astronauts from harm’s way. Traditionally, satellite design has been constrained by launch-shroud size and launch load/environment survivability requirements. Similarly, due to lift capacity limits and the high risk and low availability of astronaut EVA for assembly, creating large space-based structures, such as space stations, has been a once-in-a-generation endeavor. Archinaut minimizes or removes these and other design limitations.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth"],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":5,"trlEnd":6,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":401201,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Kenny","fullName":"Robert J Kenny","fullNameInverted":"Kenny, Robert J","middleInitial":"J","email":"robert.j.kenny@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":337,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":505934,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Peugeot","fullName":"John W Peugeot","fullNameInverted":"Peugeot, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.w.peugeot@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":340,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":28,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Dankanich","fullName":"John W Dankanich","fullNameInverted":"Dankanich, John W","middleInitial":"W","email":"john.dankanich@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":378,"programId":70,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"startDateString":"Oct 2016","endDateString":"Dec 2018"},"relatedProjectId":105673,"relatedProject":{"projectId":105673,"title":"On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing Demonstration-2","startDate":"2019-07-01","startYear":2019,"startMonth":7,"endDate":"2023-07-31","endYear":2023,"endMonth":7,"programId":70,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"TDM","isActive":true,"description":"Bridging the gap. That's the mission of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions, or TDM: to bridge the gap between need and means, between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, between early proof-of-concept tests and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into robust NASA, government and commercial space missions. The TDM program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, focuses on crosscutting technologies with strong customer interest that meet the needs of NASA and industry by enabling new missions or greatly enhancing existing ones. Chosen technologies will be thoroughly ground- and flight-tested in relevant operating environments -- reducing risks to future flight missions, gaining operational heritage and continuing NASA’s long history as a technological leader. These newly proven technologies will enable future NASA missions to pursue bolder goals; make human missions safer and more rewarding; and enable new expansion of space industry in the government and commercial sectors.
NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions bridge the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions. The TDM Program Office at NASA's Marshall Center is overseeing a portfolio of high-reward projects led by NASA centers and industry partners across the country.
","programId":70,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36654,"title":"Technology Demonstration Missions","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"TDM"},"acronym":"OSAM-2","description":"NASA’s Artemis missions will return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained human presence – which is a prelude to crewed Mars missions. The agency also seeks to mature in-space manufacturing and construction capabilities.
NASA and its partners are developing robotic technologies to efficiently and autonomously manufacture and assemble hardware, components, and tools in space. Additive manufacturing – better known as 3D printing – can build and assemble complex components in space, deliver on-demand hardware, and allow for structures larger than current rockets can deliver and deploy to orbit.
In 2019, NASA awarded a contract to Made In Space (now Redwire Corporation) to demonstrate this capability in orbit with a spacecraft roughly the size of a refrigerator. The technology demonstration will build, assemble, and deploy a surrogate solar array – a complete solar array that will not be used to power the spacecraft.
The NASA and Redwire partnership is referred to as both On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing 2 (OSAM-2) and Archinaut One. NASA’s OSAM-1 mission is developing complementary technologies.
OSAM-2 is expected to launch no earlier than 2024. The technology demonstration will build two beams and deploy a surrogate solar array utilizing robotic manipulation. Once deployed and positioned in orbit, the small spacecraft will 3D print two beams. While the first beam is being printed, the solar array will be unfurled from the spacecraft. After the 33-foot (ten-meter) beam is completed and locked into place by the robotic arm, the arm will reposition the printer, which will then print a 20-foot (six-meter) beam from the other side of the spacecraft.
A successful orbital flight will demonstrate the technology’s ability to reduce risk and achieve measurable cost savings over traditional cargo launches to space.
Partners:
An in-space robotic manufacturing system could be adapted to support a variety of applications, such as autonomously building large space telescopes ready for orbital deployment, or delivering state-of-the-art communications antennae, radar booms or other extra-large hardware. It could also have in-situ, or onsite, planetary applications, emplacing a power grid, fuel depot or other built-on-the-spot requirement on the surface of the Moon or Mars.
In-space robotic manufacturing could also reduce the inherent risks of astronaut spacewalks and could eliminate hardware or satellite size limits imposed by the available cargo space and mass-lifting capacity of modern rockets. Additive manufacturing could enable deployment of power systems and other large-surface-area hardware currently only capable of being launched to space by the largest rockets.
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