NASA is advancing in-space manufacturing through a collaboration with The Ohio State University, focusing on laser beam welding techniques essential for lunar and Martian exploration. This initiative, based at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, aims to enhance the capabilities of constructing and repairing structures on the Moon.
The multi-year project investigates the physical processes of welding under conditions that mimic the lunar environment, including reduced gravity and vacuum. Andrew O'Connor, a materials scientist at Marshall, emphasized the need for strong joints in space, suggesting that traditional fastening methods may not suffice for future missions.
Researchers are collecting data on various welding parameters, such as temperature and heat transfer, while simulating space conditions. A significant milestone occurred in August 2024, when a team conducted high-powered fiber laser beam welding aboard a commercial aircraft designed to simulate reduced gravity. This flight allowed for 20 seconds of microgravity, during which 69 out of 70 welds were successfully completed.
The project is funded by NASA and involves collaboration among students and faculty from Ohio State and engineers from several NASA centers. The last instance of welding in space was during the Skylab mission in 1973. This current research could not only facilitate in-space construction but also provide insights applicable to terrestrial welding industries.
O'Connor expressed enthusiasm for the flexibility that laser beam welding offers in diverse environments, which is critical for the future of space infrastructure development.