[SpaceProgram] Article: SpiderFab: Process for On-Orbit Construction of Kilometer-Scale Apertures

[Matt Johnson]

My reading is that the goal of SpiderFab is to remove the volume
constraints that current rockets have. Thing manufactured in space
would not have to fit into the fairing of a rocket. Of course there
would still be the same costs and limitation to lofting mass that
exist now.

Of course you are right in-situ resource utilization is necessary for
any meaningful civilization in space. The SpiderFab techniques could
be useful once the materials are extracted in space.

--
Matt Johnson



On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 5:09 PM, Jerry Isdale <jerry at mauimakers.com> wrote:
> The first problem I have with SpiderFab is that they start off planning to
> loft the raw materials for printing from the bottom of this big gravity
> well.
> That might be ok for the first few bootstrap launches, but we really really
> need to use off-planet resources to build the off-planet structures.
>
> Otherwise the idea of printing the structures is great.
> Zero (or micro) Gravity does make it harder to control the materials.
> Even squeezing out material in an extrusion process would induce motions.
> Spreading out layers of powder? ha.
>
> Jerry Isdale
> http://MauiMakers.com
> http://www.mauimakers.com/blog/thursday-public-meeting/
>
> On Sep 27, 2012, at 1:50 PM, cole santos wrote:
>
> This is amzaing. Replicating this in even rudementry ways would be a great
> gambit project.
>
> You could use this to make a framework for a oneill habitat then drape with
> flexible silicone heaters and pump it full of diborane and nickel carbonyl
> until the cvd process builds up enough wall to allow pressurization.
>
> On Sep 27, 2012 1:21 PM, "Alex" <alexcg at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> In orbit 3D printing concept. Pretty awesome. Reduces costs, increases
>> scale of what we put up there
>>
>> SpiderFab: Process for On-Orbit Construction of Kilometer-Scale Apertures
>>
>> http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/niac/2012_phase_I_fellows_hoyt_spiderfab.html
>
>
>
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