ADVANCED MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR SYSTEMS OF MICROSYSTEM NANOSPACECRAFT – STATUS OF THE PROJECT

Abstract

In the frame of an ESA TRP project, CSL, SIRRIS, ALMASpace and TAS-F associated to evaluate advanced manufacturing methods for application to space hardware. The state of the art of the new manufacturing methods, including additive manufacturing but also advanced bonding, joining and shaping techniques has been reviewed. Then three types of case studies have been developed successively. The first type was a re- manufacture of an existing piece of hardware using advanced techniques to evaluate if there is some potential improvement to be achieved (cost, production time, complexity reduction). The second level was to design and manufacture a part based on the application requirements. The last level was to design and manufacture a part taking into account the subsystem to which it belongs. All case studies have been tested in terms of achieved performances and resistance to the mechanical and thermal environment