Making Parts for Use in Space
How does manufacturing for use in orbit differ from making products for Earth, and is it a nearer market?
Chapter summary
it is a different business with different economics.
Key takeaways
- 1
A part printed in orbit for use in orbit avoids launching the finished part and its packaging, and avoids the need to return anything to Earth.
- 2
The value is the launch cost saved plus the time saved waiting for a resupply flight.
- 3
NASA has printed tools and parts on the ISS since 2014, and larger concepts for building structures in orbit have been studied.
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