Novel Approach for In-Situ Resource Utilization based Subtractive Manufacturing in Space

Abstract

In recent years, space agencies like NASA and ESA have expanded their research activities in the field of Manufacturing in Space. These measures serve to reduce limitations and costs through fairing size, launch mass capabilities or logistic missions. The objective, in turn, is to develop technologies and processes that enable on-demand manufacturing for long-term space missions and on other celestial bodies. Within these research activities, in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) and recycling are major topics. Consequently, this paper considers what is required on-demand in future space missions and provides a corresponding overview of the in-space manufacturing state of the art. The latter is significantly influenced by research activities in the field of additive manufacturing, with only a few results available in the field of subtractive processing. In conclusion, a novel approach for in-situ resource utilization based subtractive manufacturing in space is presented to supplement the existing processes. The approach presented is based on a water abrasive jet process, with regolith simulate being used as the abrasive to separate metal and glass.