About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit (and Beyond)
|
| Presentation Title |
Laser Beam Welding in Space – From Science to Technology Development |
| Author(s) |
Antonio J. Ramirez, Boyd Panton, Ali Nassiri, Kaue Riffel, Eugene Choi, Aaron Brimmer, Will McAuley |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Antonio J. Ramirez |
| Abstract Scope |
Materials joining is critical for the rapidly growing in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) sector. Currently, no metallurgical joining processes have been proven to be suitable for service in outer space or other cosmic environments. There is limited understanding of the effects of space environment on welding processes and the metallurgy and performance of welds. Our team investigates the impact of space conditions on the Laser Beam Welding (LBW) on Al-, Fe-, and Ti-based alloys. A 1 kW laser was installed in a vacuum chamber and flown aboard a parabolic flight to simulate the conditions present in space. High-vacuum and variable gravity (µg to 1.8 g) were employed to investigate their impact on weld geometry, microstructure, and defect formation. This research represents a significant step toward qualifying LBW for ISAM applications, supporting autonomous, on-demand fabrication and repair in orbit and beyond. |