| Abstract Scope |
Future orbital and lunar infrastructure will require reliable joining technologies for assembly, repair, modification, and manufacturing. Several welding processes are being investigated for space with different advantages, limitations, and operational use cases. This presentation summarizes a European Space Agency funded feasibility study that evaluated welding technologies for in-space manufacturing. A weighted trade study compared laser beam welding with electron beam welding and other joining methods against technical and operational criteria. Laser welding was selected as the baseline process because of its flexible beam delivery, process control and modular architectures. The study also defined user and system requirements and developed a concept design for a robotic laser welding machine. The presentation discusses the trade study methodology, key selection criteria, full system architecture including a protective shroud for limiting contamination of nearby systems and thin films for protecting optics from spatter and vapour deposition, and plans toward early prototyping and space qualification. |