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Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)Using the highly articulated All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) robotic mobility system as a precision positioning tool, a variety of print head technologies can be used to 3D print large-scale in-situ structures on planetary surfaces such as the moon or Mars. In effect, in the same way CAD models can be printed in a 3D printer, large-scale structures such as walls, vaults, domes, berms, paving, trench walls, and other insitu derived elements can be FAXed to the planetary surface and built in advance of the arrival of crews, supplementing equipment and materials brought from earth. This paper discusses the ATHLETE system as a mobility / positioning platform, and presents several options for large-scale additive print head technologies, including tunable microwave "sinterator" approaches and in-situ concrete deposition. The paper also discusses potential applications, such as sintered-in-place habitat shells, radiation shielding, road paving, modular bricks, and prefabricated construction components.
Document ID
20150007878
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Howe, A. Scott
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Wilcox, Brian
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
McQuin, Christopher
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Townsend, Julie
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Rieber, Richard
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Barmatz, Martin
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Leichty, John
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 11, 2015
Publication Date
September 10, 2013
Subject Category
Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA SPACE 2013
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 10, 2013
End Date: September 12, 2013
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Apollo Lunar Module
surface habitats
3D printing
additive
structure

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