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Faxing Structures to the Moon (2013-09)

Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)

10.2514/6.2013-5437

Howe Scott, Wilcox Brian, McQuin Christopher,  Townsend Julie, Rieber Richard, Barmatz Martin, Leichty John
Contribution - Proceedings of AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition

Abstract

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.

1 References

  1. Khoshnevis Behrokh, Bodiford Melanie, Burks Kevin, Ethridge Ed et al. (2005-01)
    Lunar Contour Crafting:
    A Novel Technique for ISRU-Based Habitat Development

2 Citations

  1. Schuldt Steven, Jagoda Jeneé, Hoisington Andrew, Delorit Justin (2021-03)
    A Systematic Review and Analysis of the Viability of 3D Printed Construction in Remote Environments
  2. Hamidi Fatemeh, Aslani Farhad (2019-05)
    Additive Manufacturing of Cementitious Composites:
    Materials, Methods, Potentials, and Challenge

BibTeX 
@inproceedings{howe_wilc_mcqu_town.2013.FSttM,
  author            = "Scott A. Howe and Brian H. Wilcox and Christopher McQuin and Julie Townsend and Richard R. Rieber and Martin Barmatz and John Leichty",
  title             = "Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)",
  doi               = "10.2514/6.2013-5437",
  year              = "2013",
  booktitle         = "Proceedings of AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition",
  editor            = "American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics",
}
Formatted Citation

S. A. Howe, “Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)”, in Proceedings of AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition, 2013. doi: 10.2514/6.2013-5437.

Howe, Scott A., Brian H. Wilcox, Christopher McQuin, Julie Townsend, Richard R. Rieber, Martin Barmatz, and John Leichty. “Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)”. In Proceedings of AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition, edited by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2013. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-5437.