A system and method for vaporizing space debris in space. The system includes a spacecraft body, a primary solar concentrator mounted to the spacecraft body that collects and focuses solar flux from the sun, and a secondary solar concentrator positioned at a focal point of the primary solar concentrator that refocuses the focused solar flux. A manipulator arm coupled to the spacecraft body grabs the space debris in space and positions it at a location where the refocused solar flux vaporizes the debris. The secondary solar concentrator can be a point-source concentrator, the primary solar concentrator can be a parabolic mirror, a Fresnel lens or a light focusing element or assembly, and the space debris can be a retired spacecraft or launch vehicle upper stage or component.

The disclosed invention resolves the problem of manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacking two-dimensional layers of material in the third direction z. Described are a machine and a method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects in which a predetermined final object is fabricated using the steps of the printing process (100) of individual curved three-dimensional print volumes (1, 2, 3 . . . Z) in a sequence (51). Powdered material (102) is melted in a melting volume (280) which is inside an intersection volume (28) and in which the energy exerted by at least two particle clusters (160,170) emitted from at least two spatially positioned sources (11, 12) of particles with mass adds up and exceeds the threshold required for melting of the powdered material. Machine and method according to the disclosed invention enable the fabrication in multiple different printing directions simultaneously.

The disclosed invention resolves the problem of manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacking two-dimensional layers of material in the third direction z. Described are a machine and a method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects in which a predetermined final object is fabricated using the steps of the printing process (100) of individual curved three-dimensional print volumes (1, 2, 3 . . . Z) in a sequence (51). Powdered material (102) is melted in a melting volume (280) which is inside an intersection volume (28) and in which the energy exerted by at least two particle clusters (160,170) emitted from at least two spatially positioned sources (11, 12) of particles with mass adds up and exceeds the threshold required for melting of the powdered material. Machine and method according to the disclosed invention enable the fabrication in multiple different printing directions simultaneously.

A system and method for manufacturing a space-based component in space. The method includes collecting and capturing space debris directly from and suspended in space, heating the collected space debris using solar radiation in a manner that separately and independently melts different constituent elements and compounds in the space debris, collecting the different constituent elements and compounds as they are being separately melted, storing the elements and compounds in a molten, solid or vapor form, and fabricating the space-based component using the stored elements and compounds.

A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.

This disclosure concerns building of three-dimensional objects in a fluidized bed of particles. The invention uses the fluidized bed as a medium for building three-dimensional objects by joining individual particles together in a planned pattern to fabricate a product. The fluid-like properties of the fluidized bed permit movement of computer-controlled, mechanically driven probes through the fluidized medium. The probes deliver adhesives or energy to specific points in the fluidized bed. The adhesives bind the particles together. Energy delivered by the probes causes fusion and welding or chemical bonding of the particles. The invention encompasses any shape, size, or composition of particles. Particles may be joined but not limited to adhesion, welding, and chemical bonding. Auxiliary features include use of stationary or mobile forms, changing the pattern of fluidization, use of multiple probes working simultaneously, and introduction of solid objects into the build, etc., to assist in forming the product.

This disclosure concerns building of three-dimensional objects in a fluidized bed of particles. The invention uses the fluidized bed as a medium for building three-dimensional objects by joining individual particles together in a planned pattern to fabricate a product. The fluid-like properties of the fluidized bed permit movement of computer-controlled, mechanically driven probes through the fluidized medium. The probes deliver adhesives or energy to specific points in the fluidized bed. The adhesives bind the particles together. Energy delivered by the probes causes fusion and welding or chemical bonding of the particles. The invention encompasses any shape, size, or composition of particles. Particles may be joined but not limited to adhesion, welding, and chemical bonding. Auxiliary features include use of stationary or mobile forms, changing the pattern of fluidization, use of multiple probes working simultaneously, and introduction of solid objects into the build, etc., to assist in forming the product.

A system is disclosed including a robotic arm movable about a rotational axis to at least one of move and reposition a part at least one of during part creation and after part creation in a micro-gravity environment, wherein creation is performed by at least one of a polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and a metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem and a gripping device attached to the robotic arm which holds the part during at least one of part creation and after part creation. Another system and method are also disclosed.

The disclosed invention resolves the problem of manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacking two-dimensional layers of material in the third direction z. Described are a machine and a method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects in which a predetermined final object is fabricated using the steps of the printing process (100) of individual curved three-dimensional print volumes (1, 2, 3 . . . Z) in a sequence (51). Powdered material (102) is melted in a melting volume (280) which is inside an intersection volume (28) and in which the energy exerted by at least two particle clusters (160,170) emitted from at least two spatially positioned sources (11, 12) of particles with mass adds up and exceeds the threshold required for melting of the powdered material. Machine and method according to the disclosed invention enable the fabrication in multiple different printing directions simultaneously.

The disclosed invention resolves the problem of manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacking two-dimensional layers of material in the third direction z. Described are a machine and a method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects in which a predetermined final object is fabricated using the steps of the printing process (100) of individual curved three-dimensional print volumes (1, 2, 3 . . . Z) in a sequence (51). Powdered material (102) is melted in a melting volume (280) which is inside an intersection volume (28) and in which the energy exerted by at least two particle clusters (160,170) emitted from at least two spatially positioned sources (11, 12) of particles with mass adds up and exceeds the threshold required for melting of the powdered material. Machine and method according to the disclosed invention enable the fabrication in multiple different printing directions simultaneously.