Session
Pre-Conference Workshop Session VII: Instruments/Science II
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
MakerSat-1, a 1U cubesat, is a proof-of-concept mission from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and Made In Space (MIS). It demonstrates microgravity additive manufacturing of a cubesat aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It is the first satellite specifically designed to be 3D printed and easily snap-assembled in microgravity. Its structural frame was 3D printed on the ISS AMF printer in August 2017. In late 2019, MakerSat-1 was loaded in a SEOPS Hypergiant Slingshot deployer and then launched to the ISS aboard SpaceX CRS-19 Dragon on Dec. 5, 2019. On Jan. 31, 2020, this deployer was mounted on the hatchdoor of the Cygnus NG-12 spacecraft, unberthed from ISS, and raised to a 300 mile high orbit. MakerSat-1 and other cubesats were deployed from Slingshot into orbit on Feb. 1, 2020. In the four months following deployment, MakerSat-1 has been carrying out research on the durability of 3D printed polymer samples in the orbital space environment. The results of this science data are reported here.
On-Orbit Polymer Degradation Results from MakerSat-1: First Satellite Designed to be Additively Manufactured in Space
Utah State University, Logan, UT
MakerSat-1, a 1U cubesat, is a proof-of-concept mission from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and Made In Space (MIS). It demonstrates microgravity additive manufacturing of a cubesat aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It is the first satellite specifically designed to be 3D printed and easily snap-assembled in microgravity. Its structural frame was 3D printed on the ISS AMF printer in August 2017. In late 2019, MakerSat-1 was loaded in a SEOPS Hypergiant Slingshot deployer and then launched to the ISS aboard SpaceX CRS-19 Dragon on Dec. 5, 2019. On Jan. 31, 2020, this deployer was mounted on the hatchdoor of the Cygnus NG-12 spacecraft, unberthed from ISS, and raised to a 300 mile high orbit. MakerSat-1 and other cubesats were deployed from Slingshot into orbit on Feb. 1, 2020. In the four months following deployment, MakerSat-1 has been carrying out research on the durability of 3D printed polymer samples in the orbital space environment. The results of this science data are reported here.
