2020: A Space Odyssey

On Thursday, Feb 18th 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover, that had set out for Mars last July, successfully touched down on the surface of the Red Planet. This historic mission, set to explore the Martian surface for traces of ancient life, is gearing up to reach another milestone soon: attempting the first powered-flight by a manmade aircraft/vehicle on another world. The helicopter-like machine, called Ingenuity, is currently onboard the Perseverance and as of Friday, Feb 19th 6:30 pm EST, is operating normally.

As 2021 gets off to a great start, it is important to look back at the milestones that were achieved in 2020 that might play important roles in future missions to off-Earth environments.

Some of the most exciting news that came out of 2020 was a largely unnoticed scientific advancement. Nature Communications reported that carbon dioxide can now be transformed into jet fuel using an Iron-based catalyst. This has implications for low-cost air travel, but more excitingly, off-world fuel production. Chemists foresee no barriers to scaling up this chemical reaction. Only production process optimization is needed.

Another unnoticed development in 2020 was the KSTAR device in Korea maintaining plasma at over 180 million degrees Fahrenheit for 20 seconds. This is a significant step towards realizing sustained economical nuclear fusion.

While these are years away from being useful, they are important milestones toward becoming a Type 1 civilization on the Kardashev scale (which classifies advanced civilizations based on the energy they use). As more energy is used, advanced societies become interplanetary just as Kardashev imagined.

It was a very good year

While we are just starting our space odyssey, significant progress in 3D printing for space-related applications occurred in 2020.

Roll over Robert

Robert Goddard and Wernher von Braun are probably rolling over in their graves. Neither would recognize how rockets are made today. From 3D printed rocket parts to entire engines themselves, 3D printing was successfully used commercially. Its benefits include lower costs, lighter components, and design freedoms that lead to reduction in the number of parts and assembly.

As of 2020, NASA was working with U.S based companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne, Blue Origin, and Relativity Space to 3D print rocket engines, launch vehicles and landing modules. India-based startup Skyroot unveiled, in September of 2020, its fully 3D printed cryogenic rocket engine, Dhawan-1, which will be used to launch satellites into orbit later this year.

Out of this world

The ability to 3D print off-world (in zero or low gravity environments) requires technological sophistication and an understanding of the performance of machines and materials in microgravity. These environments can produce higher quality parts because of fewer distortions than are produced in Earth’s stronger gravity.

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have been 3D printing parts since 2014, using U.S based Made In Space’s Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF). By 2020, the AMF has produced over 200 tools, assets, and parts onboard the ISS.

In late 2020, Made in Space’s Ceramic Manufacturing Module was used to 3D print the first ceramic parts in space. These ceramic parts are for turbines and intended for export to Earth later this year. This could serve as an important proof-of-concept for manufacturing operations that act as hubs to export high quality parts back to Earth.

Looking to the future

Having entered 2021, our space odyssey continues with even more exciting breakthroughs around the corner. Look out for:

Living off the land

Due to the current high cost of transporting every kilogram into space, it is imperative to use as much material as can be found off-world.

NASA is working with U.S based ICON to develop technologies for 3D printing structures and homes on the Moon with regolith, surface dust found on the Moon or Mars comprised of dust, broken rocks, and other trace materials. NASA has also partnered with architecture firm AI SpaceFactory to develop materials that simulate lunar regolith to 3D print structures and houses.

In addition, carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere (95%) can be catalyzed with Iron from Martian soil (5 - 14%) to make fuel for electrical power generation, heating, and for vehicles operating on the Red Planet. Water is a byproduct of this reaction. The water can be purified for human consumption or separated into hydrogen and oxygen for human consumption or combustion using the fuel produced.

Energizing communities

Long term occupancy of lunar or Martian bases will require more than just technological bases like the ISS. They will have to become living communities with modern amenities, including office buildings, housing, supermarkets, entertainment arcades, and nearby power sources.

NASA’s partnership with AI SpaceFactory is designing 3D printed habitats for settlements on Mars. Its innovative solution is MARSHA (MARS HAbitat), a 3D printed structure that addresses problems including protection from radiation, circadian lighting, thermal expansion, and even the mental wellbeing of the residents.

Also look out for progress in 3D printed batteries and power generators for outer space. NASA recently awarded a contract to U.S based KULR Technology Group to build 3D printed batteries for future space missions. The company’s technologies enable batteries that are lighter and cooler, as well as safer by preventing thermal damage of surrounding equipment. These technologies provide increased capabilities for repair, maintenance and switching out existing power sources.

Small steps for man… One giant leap for mankind

These advancements are only small steps toward lunar and Martian colonies. But all great leaps require movement one step at a time. With increasing involvement from the private sector, trips to off-Earth sites will pick up speed. This might even lead to a thriving space tourism industry. While it is currently limited, the coming years will see orbital outpost destinations. Some companies are already taking reservations for short orbital flights.

The pace of change will no doubt accelerate even more due to Chinese and Indian entry into the space race. Fierce competition in this second space race will determine who becomes the world’s technological leader. One thing is for sure, the space odyssey will continue. The question is: who will come out on top this time?

-By Richard D'Aveni and Ankush Venkatesh

This article first appeared on Forbes.com on 2/22/2021 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/richarddaveni/2021/02/22/2020-a-space-odyssey