In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) Technologies; New Challenges for Exploration

Abstract

NASA's human exploration initiative poses great opportunity and great risk for manned missions to the Moon and Mars. Engineers and Scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) are continuing to evaluate current technologies for in situ resource-based exploration fabrication and repair applications. Several technologies to be addressed in this paper have technology readiness levels (TRLs) that are currently mature enough to pursue for exploration purposes. However, while many technologies offer promising applications, these technologies must be pulled along by the demands and applications of this great initiative. The In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) Element will supply and push state of the art technologies for applications such as habitat structure development, in situ resource utilization for tool and part fabrication, and repair and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of common life support elements. As an overview of the ISFR Element, this paper will address rapid prototyping technologies, their applications, challenges, and near term advancements. This paper will also discuss the anticipated need to utilize in situ resources to produce replacement parts and fabricate repairs to vehicles, habitats, life support and quality of life elements. Overcoming the challenges of ISFR development will provide the Exploration initiative with state of the art technologies that reduce risk, and enhance supportability.

Recent advances on ISRU technologies and study of microgravity impact on blood cells for deep space exploration

“…ISRU technologies can provide life support consumables, propellants, construction materials, and energy, to a crew stationed on a moon, planet, or asteroid (Sanders and Larson, 2011;Mason and Rucker, 2019;Schlüter and Cowley, 2020;Baldry et al, 2022). ISFR technologies, in contrast, aim to meet requirements related to the fabrication and repair of materials and equipments, in situ, at the location where they operate (MlYAZAKI and Osamu, 2002;Miyazaki and Odawara, 2003;Moore et al, 2004;Bassler et al, 2006;Faierson et al, 2010). To this end, an Italian task force comprised of the University of Cagliari, the Italian Astrophysics Institute (INAF), the National Research Council (CNR), the University of Sassari, and the Center of Research, Development, and Advanced Studies in Sardinia (CRS4), is currently engaged in research activities aimed at the development of both ISRU and ISFR technologies.…”

Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis Reactions for ISRU and ISFR Applications

“…For instance, the exothermic chemical reaction x(Ti + 2B) + (1-x)JSC-1 x(TiB 2 ) + (1-x)JSC-1, that displays a SHS behavior when x>0.25, was proposed as a possible method for the preparation of Lunar bricks using JSC-1 Lunar regolith simulant [7]. On the other hand, the direct aluminothermic reduction of Lunar regolith was found to produce, after a (1) could be exploited in the framework of the ISRU principle. This statement holds also true when considering the reduction of ilmenite (FeTiO 3 ), whose presence is up to 20 wt.% on the Moon, by aluminum [14].…”

“…[1][2][3]. In this regard, several studies have been recently addressed with the final aim to obtain suitable structures for protection against cosmic rays, solar wind and meteoroids, making use of available in-situ Lunar resources [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Remarks on ISRU and ISFR Technologies for Manned Missions on Moon and Mars

“…ISRU technologies can provide materials for extraterrestrial life support, propellants for extravehicular activities, construction materials as well as energy to a crew deployed on a planet, Moon, or asteroid [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. On the other hand the target of ISFR technologies is to satisfy requirements related to the fabrication and repair of equipment and materials at the location (in-situ) where the equipment operates.…”