In-Situ Resource Utilization with Advanced Manufacturing

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a critical enabling technology for long-term lunar endeavors in the areas of outfitting and the development of structures required for establishing a lunar economy. Additive manufacturing (AM) using lunar regolith as a feedstock has become a top contender to support mission needs on the lunar surface.

The Advanced Manufacturing Branch at MSFC (EM42) has been leveraging their facilities, equipment, personnel, and expertise to explore many approaches to ISRU AM. Our primary efforts thus far have focused on laser-based systems.

EM42 operates a modified Laser Powder Bed Fusion system which enables additive manufacturing with lunar regolith simulant. TRL 4 criteria have been met with higher material performance than shown in other State of the Art approaches to ISRU AM.

EM42 has worked with industry to build a dirty vacuum rated 6 axis robotic arm for directed energy deposition style ISRU AM. This capability will enable the technology to approach a TRL 5 by testing in a dirty vacuum, the V20, located here at MSFC.

The Advanced Manufacturing Branch continues to stay up to date with and push the state of the art in ISRU AM and is continuously seeking ways through internal development and partnerships to further the TRL of this critical enabling technology.