Spiderlike Robots could build giant Space Structures

Spiderlike Robots could build giant Space Structures help humans survive on planetary exploration.

Above: Illustration of a robot building a space structure. Credit Tethers Unlimited Inc

Tethers Unlimited Inc will use spiderlike droids to build large objects in space, that could help in infrastructure to get man to Mars.

TUI is currently developing a revolutionary suite of technologies called “SpiderFab” to enable on-orbit fabrication of large spacecraft components such as antennas, solar panels, trusses, and other multifunctional structures. SpiderFab provides order-of-magnitude packing- and mass- efficiency improvements over current deployable structures and enables construction of kilometer-scale apertures within current launch vehicle capabilities, providing higher-resolution data at lower life-cycle cost.

Using spider-like robots to assemble huge structure. Credit Tethers Unlimited Inc

Under a NASA/LaRC Phase I SBIR contract, TUI is currently implementing the first step in the SpiderFab architecture: a machine that uses 3D printing techniques and robotic assembly to fabricate long, high-performance truss structures. This “Trusselator” device will enable construction of large support structures for systems such as multi-hundred-kilowat solar arrays, large solar sails, and football-field sized antennas.

Credit Tethers Unlimited Inc