Thermal imagers can provide temperature measurement over a large area with high resolution, but they require further development to deliver lower uncertainty quantitative temperature measurement across all important components. One of the ways to improve thermal imager performance and ease of use is it to have the device operate in thermal vacuum.

Despite the fact that Additive Manufacturing has evolved rapidly, the process presents more challenges compared to the conventional manufacturing technologies. Therefore, it was identified the necessity to establish for each individual machine a process route traceability in order to define the optimum process parameters and to ensure the process repeatability and reliability, combined with the machine capabilities and limitations, to meet the space industry requirements.

Motivation: This study aimed to develop promising robotic fabrication methodologies for a fibre-based in-situ robotic fabrication process, for application in a lunar habitat as an alternative to existing additive manufacturing methodologies. Previous work has verified that fibre composite fabrication processes are capable of a high degree of automation and structural performance.

One of the most critical points in the exploration of space beyond Earth orbit is the provision of systems which ensure the survival of both crew and technological assets, such as rovers an landers. The utilisation of the Moon, being the next logical step in implementing the global strategy for colonising the Solar System, is a focus of national and international space agencies.

A number of upcoming or planned Earth Observation missions (e.g. Sentinel 3, MTG, Post-Metop, Premier etc.) require cryogenic cooling between 80 and 50K. To obtain this level of temperature, it is now common to use long life mechanical coolers (e.g. Stirling Coolers for Sentinel 3 and Pulse Tube cooler for MTG) which are most of the time redundant. Operational missions requiring to be Single Point Failure tolerant, the cryogenic system has to be sized taking into account a OFF redundant cooler. This introduces a large parasitic heat load in the order of the actual user load.

Increasing numbers of regulations in Europe (e.g. RoHS, REACH) are implemented targeting sustainable development, environmental impact and protection of human health leading directly to obsolescence of qualified materials, processes and technologies, as manufacturers are forced to change materials compositions, alter manufacturing processes or take the decision to remove materials from the European market. The REACH roadmap for identification of future substances of very high concern (SVHC) indicates to target a wider range of isocyanates.

The use of Solar energy applying conversion processes based on higher temperatures (use of solar concentrators) and thermodynamic cycles (e.g. Stirling cycle) can provide high conversion efficiencies. For such process high temperature loop heat pipes (LHP) can provide efficient means to transport the heat from the solar concentrator to the thermodynamic cycle (e.g. Stirling engine).

Curing of polymers resins for CFRP composites is for the vast majority of cases stimulated through temperature, whereas the curing temperature is a trade-off between required pot-life, thermal properties, hardware compatibility, and mechanical performance. For example, a high curing temperature leads to very good thermal properties and allows long pot-life, but causes increased internal stress and distortion. Ideally the adhesive is processed as well as cured near room temperature (practically < 100?C), typically followed by a short post-cure.