美国航天局NASAhas just secured funding for approximately 18 early-stage 3D printing projects developing technologies to help on its next mission to the Moon. As part of the agency’s 2019Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)种子计划，这些项目是363项提案之一，这些提案已从美国宇航局（NASA）共同获得超过4300万美元的I阶段开发。每个项目的平均值约为123.9万美元，3D打印项目的价值最高为220万美元的总基金。
The Need-to-Know of SBIR and STTR
NASA’s SBIR and STTR programs are designed to support the small and innovative businesses that employ approximately 55% of all jobs in the U.S. Through such initiatives, the agency aims to also remain at the cutting edge of new technologies, giving it the pick of the bunch when it comes to new solutions. Regarding the latest program Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), commented, “We are excited about the entrepreneurial, innovative ideas that these small businesses are bringing to the table.”
该机构运行的这两个资金计划都有三个阶段，每个阶段相对于不同的最终结果，并授予了新的，更高的现金注入。
InPhase I被任命者必须通过其发展，示范和交付来为自己的想法提供合理的基础。对于SBIR，合同的这一部分持续了6个月，而对于STTR，则为13个月。
In第二阶段, the awardees must continue to develop their concepts to a level almost ready for commercialization. Projects selected for this phase are awarded $250 thousand in funding and have 24 months period for completion.
In the final第三阶段businesses are tasked with the commercial realization of their product. This phase receives funding from sources other than the SBIR and STTR funds and is automatically entered into upon successful completed of Phase II. In addition, the agency states “Phase III work may be for products, production, services, R/R&D, or any combination thereof that is derived from, extends, or concludes efforts performed under prior SBIR/STTR funding agreements. A Federal agency may enter into a Phase III agreement at any time with a Phase I or Phase II awardee.” In addition, “There is no limit on the number, duration, type, or dollar value of Phase III awards made to a business concern.”
“This time, when we go to the Moon, we will stay.”
NASAS当前的宣教目标之一是由总统唐纳德·特朗普（Donald Trump）激励，到2024年将宇航员返回月球。月亮到火星approach, the goal this time, 65 years after the initial Apollo mission, is to create a habitat capable of sustaining life on the Moon, from which astronauts will be able to continue for deeper exploration. “This time, when we go to the Moon, we will stay,” explains NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, “And then we will use what we learn on the Moon to take the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.”
In recent years, a great deal of research in the space exploration field has been concerned with how to keep astronauts in space for longer, and even create a habitable environment on places like the Moon and Mars. 3D printing experiments inLunar and Martian regolithhave demonstrated the rudimentary potential to build habitats. NASA’s own3D印刷栖息地挑战还一直在寻找帮助建立庇护所的想法。
Other projects have focused on how to更好地利用废物generated by habitable satellites like the ISS. Meanwhile,SpaceX是专注于一部分的私人航空航天公司之一火星的运输基础设施.
根据SBIR和STTR计划授予资金的许多项目的任务是提供解决方案，以帮助NASA实现其月亮到火星客观，满足22个重点领域之一，包括空间推进技术，电力和能源存储，原位资源利用，空间和高级制造以及材料，材料研究，结构和组装。
Reuter adds, “The technologies show great promise in helping NASA achieve its objectives across all mission areas, including our efforts to send American astronauts to the Moon, and then on to Mars, while also providing a long-term boost to the American economy.”
The future of Moon landings at NASA
作为第一个放置的公司ISS上的3D打印机,Made In Space（MIS）在低重力制造中是一个众所周知的名字。自成立添加剂制造工厂（AMF）以来，该公司已继续前往其他公司，varied和大规模制造项目，包括卫星建造Archinaut. As an awardee of the 2019 Phase I SBIR & STTR round, the organization will be conducting another project for NASA, this time the development of a Mobile End-effector Laser Device (MELD) capable of autonomous joining and repair.
Florida basedZero G Horizons, will be undertaking a project that it hopes will help it become a leader in space propellant storage and transfer. Collaborating withEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University,佛罗里达,公司的目标是测试它的飞船On-Orbit Advanced Refueling and Storage (SOARS) system in a sub-orbital flight with Virgin Galatic. Looking toward Phase III, is then hopes to partner with MIS and use the Archinaut system to direct fabricate and test a prototype SOARS system in LEO.
In an application made by Jesse Blacker, the company’s Director of New Product & Business Development,ExOne提议应用其粘合剂喷射技术来为NASA构建硅Cardide热交换器。这些组件将支持该机构的电气化飞机推进（EAP）倡议，这将影响航空出租车范围内的亚音速运输开发。
LM Group Holdings, operating in California asLiquid Metal Coatings，已提出与无熔体金属3D打印提供商合作Fabrisonic. Together these two partners will investigate the ultrasonic additive manufacturing of amorphous metal alloy laminate composites and cladding of metallic surfaces.
MeanwhileExtreme Diagnostics, Inc.，旋转University of Michigan将任务按其是打电话ct MARIO. MARIO stands for Measurement of Actuator Response In Orbit, that will feature the launch of a nanosatellite. 3D printing is planned to be applied in Phase II of the project (if granted) helping the team to explores multi-dimensional actuators for their device.
授予所有业务的完整列表2019 Phase I SBR/STTRfunding from NASA can be found here.
For more aerospace project updates subscribe to ournewsletter, like us onFacebookand follow us onTwitter.访问3D Printing Jobsfor new opportunities in engineering.
Featured image shows a recent test of a fully functional Launch Abort System (LAS) for NASA’s forthcoming Orion spacecraft – part of the Moon to Mars directive. Photo by NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O’Connell
