Additive Manufacturing Under Lunar Gravity and Microgravity

authored by: B. Reitz, C. Lotz, N. Gerdes, S. Linke, E. Olsen, K. Pflieger, S. Sohrt, M. Ernst, P. Taschner, J. Neumann, E. Stoll, L. Overmeyer
Abstract: Mankind is setting to colonize space, for which the manufacturing of habitats, tools, spare parts and other infrastructure is required. Commercial manufacturing processes are already well engineered under standard conditions on Earth, which means under Earth’s gravity and atmosphere. Based on the literature review, additive manufacturing under lunar and other space gravitational conditions have only been researched to a very limited extent. Especially, additive manufacturing offers many advantages, as it can produce complex structures while saving resources. The materials used do not have to be taken along on the mission, they can even be mined and processed on-site. The Einstein-Elevator offers a unique test environment for experiments under different gravitational conditions. Laser experiments on selectively melting regolith simulant are successfully conducted under lunar gravity and microgravity. The created samples are characterized in terms of their geometry, mass and porosity. These experiments are the first additive manufacturing tests under lunar gravity worldwide.
Organisation(s): Institute of Transport and Automation Technology
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
External Organisation(s): Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Type: Article
Journal: Microgravity Science and Technology
Volume: 33
ISSN: 0938-0108
Publication date: 04.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Modelling and Simulation, General Engineering, General Physics and Astronomy, Applied Mathematics
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-021-09878-4 (Access: Open)