Long range space missions will use a technique developed to fabricate high strength materials of consistent quality that can then be assembled in-situ into complex structures. These complex structures can be built to incorporate specialised sensors as required.
Magna Parva has been awarded a grant by the UK Technology Strategy Board to develop what it calls a ‘Consolidated Off Planet Manufacturing and Assembly System for Large Space Structures’ (or COPMA). This makes use of technology such as pultrusion, which is already used for making large structures often with directly embedded sensors such as stress sensors.
One of the limiting factors in the development of space is the cost and complexity of launching large structures such as solar arrays from launch vehicles. With launch costs increasing, COPMA should provide a valuable alternative to pre-manufactured infrastructure components. When assembled in space, structures can be made thinner and use less material as they do not have to withstand the force of gravity. The long term aim for COPMA systems is to develop a space-based technology that allows manufacture of large structures with embedded sensors, electronics and actuators. www.magnaparva.com
