Patent — available for licensing
In-Space Assembly of Structural Trusses and Shapes
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
NASA engineers have developed an innovative method for simple design and modular assembly of curved, double-curved, or flat structures in space or on earth or lunar surfaces. The approach is expected to have greatest utility in structures ranging from a few meters to 100’s of meters. Most current space structures are launched as a single monolithic or deployable unit and are thus limited by the mass and volume constraints. In-space assembly of modular components delivered from one or more launches is an alternative approach. However, curved structures typically are separated into many unique components which greatly complicates manufacturing and assembly. This novel technology introduces a new design that localizes the differences between truss modules to a small, easily fabricated connector. Thus, the majority of the module, even for curved surfaces, can be standardized to simplify fabrication, testing, and subsequent assembly at the destination.