Abstract

The NASA Psyche Capstone project is a partnership between NASA and Arizona State University. Participating students work on projects related to the NASA Psyche mission. Our team is conducting this project to gain skills and experience that will be valuable in future opportunities. The project aims to develop a method of using the surface materials of the Psyche asteroid in additive manufacturing. We are completing this project in the context of a possible future NASA mission to Psyche.  

Psyche is a large asteroid located in the Asteroid Belt. It accounts for about 1 percent of the region’s total mass. The asteroid is believed to have a high concentration of metals such as nickel and iron. Psyche also has a surface gravity equal to about 1% of Earth’s. This project aims to adapt existing metal 3D Printing technology to low-gravity conditions. The team is using metal 3D printing because of the availability of metal on Psyche. We are adapting laser powder bed fusion for use in low gravity. Laser powder bed fusion uses a laser to melt and fuse metal powder to create parts. This method is very precise and makes sturdy components. The main challenge is that metal powder can become difficult to control in low gravity and can cling to surfaces. The design of our system uses magnets to create a uniform downward force on the metal powder to keep the powder . 

The project uses a scaled model of the magnetic system and a digital design of our full 3D printing system to show how the system adapts existing technologies to space. During this design process, we have gained experience in approaching open-ended design problems. This project demonstrates the application of the design and its benefits to the future of 3D printing on Earth and in space.