SMARTER - Space Manufacturing, Assembly and Repair Technology Exploration and Realisation

“太空制造有可能对人类航天飞行产生积极影响，因为它使在轨制造替换零件和工具成为可能，这可以减少国际空间站（ISS）和未来长期人类太空任务的现有后勤需求。太空制造可以在太空建造大型结构，也许在未来的某一天，可以建造整个宇宙飞船。空间制造还可以帮助重新构想一种新的空间结构，这种结构不受重力、当前制造工艺和发射相关结构应力的设计和制造限制。太空制造、装配和维修技术探索与实现（SMARTER）项目将研究太空制造的技术可行性。该项目将重点研究如何将可重构自主机器人技术用于自动制造组件、组装大型结构以及服务或维修现有空间资产。更智能的概念，即太空制造工厂，最终可以降低发射成本，探索太空，提高任务的可持续性，即延长发射到太空的资产的使用寿命。对可重构、自主制造的太空港或工厂的需求，源于市场正在改变太空运作模式，以及开发能够考验人类雄心的新能力。这些变化包括：降低有效载荷发射和可持续空间探索的成本，建立卫星星座，进一步探索空间和在其他行星上居住，以及对空间资产进行预防性维护或维修。这一愿景也得到了美国宇航局2010年10月《在轨卫星服务研究》的认可。现实地说，上述外层空间的利用可能只有在10至20年的时间框架内才能真正实现；尽管如此，英国现在还是有绝好的机会，通过投资来把握这个机会。”

"Manufacturing in space has the potential to positively affect human spaceflight operations by enabling the in-orbit manufacture of replacement parts and tools, which could reduce existing logistics requirements for the International Space Station (ISS) and future long-duration human space missions. In-space manufacturing could enable space-based construction of large structures and, perhaps someday, in the future, entire spacecraft. In-space manufacturing can also help to reimagine a new space architecture that is not constrained by the design and manufacturing confines of gravity, current manufacturing processes, and launch-related structural stresses.The Space Manufacturing, Assembly and Repair Technology Exploration and Realisation (SMARTER) project will investigate the technical feasibility of manufacturing in space. The project will focus on how reconfigurable autonomous robotic technologies can be used to automatically manufacture components, assemble large structures, and service or repair existing space assets. The SMARTER concept, i.e. a manufacturing factory in space, could ultimately lower launch costs, the exploration of space and improve mission sustainability i.e. extend the useful life of assets launched into space.The need for a reconfigurable, autonomous manufacturing space port or factory stems from the market changing the paradigm of space operations and the development of enabling new capabilities that will put mankind's ambition to the test.These changes include: cost reduction of payload launch and sustainable space exploration, creating satellite constellations, exploration further into space and habitation on other planets and carrying out preventative maintenance or servicing of assets in space. This vision has also been recognised by NASAs On-Orbit Satellite Servicing Study, October 2010\.Realistically speaking, this described use of outer space may only truly materialise in 10 -- 20 year timeframe; nonetheless the UK has the prime opportunity to position itself suitably for this opportunity by investing now."