ARPA Program Plans to Build Massive Structures in Orbit with Paradigm-Shifting Technology

[Portre]

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is taking a significant step toward overcoming the challenges of assembling large-scale structures in orbit by testing new in-space manufacturing capabilities.

Despite significant advancements in spacecraft design and other related space technologies, building large-scale orbital structures has long represented a challenge due to the limitations imposed by the size and weight of cargo rockets can carry with them into orbit.

To overcome this, DARPA recently announced it is shifting the final phase of its Novel Orbital and Moon Manufacturing, Materials, and Mass-efficient Design (NOM4D) program from laboratory experiments to small-scale orbital demonstrations.

NOM4D (pronounced “nomad”) aims to test new materials DARPA has developed, which the agency says could significantly enhance the in-space assembly process in the coming years.

ARPA Program Plans to Build Massive Structures in Orbit with Paradigm-Shifting Technology

[+and-then]

First step on the way to making Dyson Spheres a reality  

[Doc Socks Junior]

Seems like they'd need a lot of raw material to build "large scale" and "massive" regardless of how neat the designs and materials.

Certainly getting the manufacturing to work up there helps in terms of what approaches might be used to get the raw material there, though. Cargo coil guns, anyone?

[Piney]

37 minutes ago, Doc Socks Junior said:

Seems like they'd need a lot of raw material to build "large scale" and "massive" regardless of how neat the designs and materials.

Certainly getting the manufacturing to work up there helps in terms of what approaches might be used to get the raw material there, though. Cargo coil guns, anyone?

Asteroid capture? 

[Doc Socks Junior]

3 hours ago, Piney said:

Asteroid capture? 

Okay Mr. Sci-Fi! Uh, wait...my post was too.

[Piney]

3 minutes ago, Doc Socks Junior said:

Okay Mr. Sci-Fi! Uh, wait...my post was too.

Want some real fun? 

I have some of T. O'Conor Sloane's writings in the library. 

DaVinci on acid. 😆