On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 2 (OSAM-2), formally known as Archinaut[1], was a technology demonstration project aimed at developing the necessary additive manufacturing technology to build large-scale structures in space.[2][3]
History
Phase 1 of the project started in 2016 and was funded by a NASA contract worth US$20 million; it was performed by a partnership between Made In Space (MIS), Northrop Grumman, and Oceaneering Space Systems.[3] Its formal name was "Versatile In-Space Robotic Precision Manufacturing and Assembly System".[4]
Archinaut was intended to be a 3D printer capable of operating in-orbit, installed on a pod attached outside the International Space Station. Archinaut would have included a robotic arm and been capable of fabricating, assembling and repairing structures and machinery in space.[4] Made In Space developed Archinaut's 3D printer; Oceaneering Space Systems was in charge of its manipulator arm, and Northrop Grumman was in charge of control electronics, software, and integration with the space station.[4]
References
- Jennifer Harbaugh. On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 2 (OSAM-2) NASA, 2023-10-30, retrieved 2024-03-16^
- Archinaut^
- Mike Wall. California Startup Made In Space to Make Optical Fiber in Orbit Space.com, October 28, 2016, retrieved October 29, 2017