The Multimaterial Fabrication Laboratory: In-Space Manufacturing as an Enabling Technology for Long Endurance Human Space Flight

Abstract: Human space exploration initiatives have not ventured beyond low earth orbit and the moon. While stays on the International Space Station (ISS) are increasing in duration (astronaut Scott Kelley recently completed a nearly year-long mission), ISS is not representative of long endurance spaceflight where cargo resupply opportunities and quick abort capabilities are limited. It is understood that a suite of manufacturing capabilities will be needed on long duration, long endurance missions to r…