SBIR/STTR
ISS Additive Manufacturing Facility for On-Demand Fabrication in Space, Phase II
Project Introduction
Made in Space has completed a preliminary design review of the Additive Manufacturing Facility. During the first half of Phase 1, the design went through conceptual development, simulation testing, cost analysis, and comparison testing of which off-the-shelf parts can be used. The deliverables for Phase I include a written report detailing evidence of demonstrated technology (TRL 5) in the laboratory and will outline in detail the path taken toward hardware demonstration for Phase II (TRL 6). The preliminary design is ready to be manufactured as an engineering test unit in Phase II. A feasibility study was created to demonstrate what could be fabricated for the inside of the ISS (parts and spares) and for the outside (possible satellites). It is anticipated that many of the sample uses that the AMF will make possible on-orbit have not yet been envisioned.
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Anticipated Benefits
Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The Additive Manufacturing Facility has potential NASA commercial applications in the areas of ISS Repairs, Upgrades and Life Extension, Payload Upgrades and Improvements, In-Space Hardware On-Demand, Emergency in-Space Solutions, Small Spacecraft Assembly, and In-Space Manufacturing Research for Exploration. The AMF will have the ability to manufacture components on demand in order to fix or replace broken parts on the ISS. It will also have the ability to upgrade and maintain hardware on the ISS with manufactures parts produced by the AMF to extend the life of critical and non-critical components of the ISS. Upgrades to existing payloads and experiments, will allow the much needed capability of adjusting and improving experiments. The AMF will be able to manufacture standard hardware on demand such as spare parts and tools as well as hardware solutions for when an emergency arises on the ISS. As part of a technology demonstration, small spacecraft structures and CubeSats will be able to be constructed for assembly and check-out. The AMF will make possible to research the effectiveness of additive manufacturing in space, and applying that to exploration research.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, AL |
| Made in Space, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Wilmington, DE |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
-
Delaware
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
Responsible Program:
- SBIR/STTR
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Principal Investigator:
- Michael Snyder
Project Duration
Start: Feb 2013
End: Oct 2016
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 6 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 8 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 7 Human Exploration Destination Systems
- TA 7.2 Sustainability and Supportability
- TA 7.2.3 Repair Systems
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 10 Nanotechnology
- TA 10.4 Sensors, Electronics, and Devices
- TA 10.4.3 Miniature Instruments and Instrument Components