The objective of the project was to design, develop and test the compaction device breadboard in a regolith simulant testbed. An experimental test campaign aimed to verify that the compaction device can be successfully used to improve the surface geotechnical properties of two different regolith simulants: GreenSpar-250 analogous to lunar Highlands, and AGK-2010 analogous to lunar Mare regions.

In order to enable lunar exploration in a sustainable manner, it is necessary to develop technologies that allow the use of lunar resources in-situ. Additive manufacturing techniques are being studied for in-situ resources utilization on the Moon (e.g.: solar or laser sintering). The results of these studies, presented samples with low mechanical properties due to the formation of defects and cracks within the final product.

During the project activities, the authors proposed a conceptual framework, which utilizes resources available in situ through the chemical and physical processes associated with agriculture; the soil and CO2 (if present) are transformed into fibrous plant matter, harvested and finally converted into mechanical and structural components.

Solar panel suppliers are developing a partially automated solar generator assembly process. A GSTP G617-241TA de-risk Activity: "Identification and baseline validation of solar cell test and measurement techniques for highly automated space solar generator manufacturing" was in the process to be completed, where measurement techniques have been identified and initially verified to be suitable to control the quality of the solar generator during automatic manufacturing.

Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University (ITA) and Institute for Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design RWTH Aachen University (SLA) have already spun MoonFibres from regolith simulant. Gradel SARL uses the xFKin3D technological process to produces ultra-lightweight structural components made of various types of fibres and resin. This technology requires less material to create parts with equal structural strength as the ones produced in traditional ways. The produced parts can be 2D or 3D parts.

Confined inhabited environment in human spaceflight imposes challeng

The main objectives of this project were to develop a thruster prototype based on magnetic powder electrostatic propulsion and to test it in vacuum with direct thrust measurements. The aim was to check the robustness of the concept and to measure and calculate important performance parameters such as thrust and specific impulse, to allow a comparison with other thruster technologies. This project demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of electrostatic propulsion based on powder emission.