Episode 552: A Spacecraft Is Going To Build Its Own Solar Panels In Space: Archinaut One

Published: Aug. 23, 2019, 6 p.m.

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As I\\u2019ve mentioned in several episodes now, humanity is in a bit of a transition period, a time when it makes sense to launch material up and out of Earth\\u2019s gravity well into orbit, and beyond. But it\\u2019s really expensive, costing up to $10,000 per pound you want in orbit, and 10 times if you want it on the Moon.

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But over the coming decades, more and more of our space-based infrastructure will be built in space, manufactured out of materials that were mined in space.

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The only thing that\\u2019ll actually need to leave the Earth\\u2019s clingy gravity well will be us, the humans, the tourists, wanting to visit all that space infrastructure.

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Of course, in order to achieve that space future, engineers and mission planners will need to design and construct the technology that will make this possible.

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That means testing out new prototypes, technologies and methodologies for mining and space-based manufacturing.

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Our Book is out!
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Audio Podcast version:
\\nITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/universe-today-guide-to-space-audio/id794058155?mt=2
\\nRSS: https://www.universetoday.com/audio

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What Fraser\'s Watching Playlist:
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Support us at: http://www.patreon.com/universetoday
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Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
\\nKarla Thompson - @karlaii / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEItkORQYd4Wf0TpgYI_1fw
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References:
\\nhttps://arstechnica.com/science/2019/07/nasas-technology-program-funds-ambitious-in-space-manufacturing-mission/
\\nhttps://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-funds-demo-of-3d-printed-spacecraft-parts-made-assembled-in-orbit
\\nhttps://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4818
\\nhttps://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-to-develop-space-exploration-technologies
\\nhttps://madeinspace.us/press-releases/made-in-space-inc-completes-successful-ground-based-manufacturing-assembly-testing-for-archinaut-program/
\\nhttps://www.space.com/40516-made-in-space-vulcan-nasa-contract.html
\\nhttps://madeinspace.us/capabilities-and-technology/vulcan/
\\nhttps://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/upward3_3_book_v4_web.pdf
\\nhttps://madeinspace.us/capabilities-and-technology/plastic-recycler/

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