Future space missions such as manned missions to Mars will require large space structures, which due to launch constraints will have to be manufactured and assembled in situ. Pultrusion is a commonly used technology on the ground for making large structures often with embedded sensors. The COPMA system takes advantage of pultrusion for making large structures in space, integrating sensors, electronics and actuators into the pultruded sections and then assembling the parts into larger assemblies.
One of the limiting factors in the development of space is the cost and complexity of launching large structures due to size constraints imposed by launch vehicles (e.g., large solar arrays). With the cost of launch increasing any technology that enables larger structures to be used will benefit many sectors, e.g., a manned Mars mission where it is impossible to launch pre-manufactured infrastructure cost-effectively.
The COPMA System is taking advantage of technology used terrestrially to produce large structures which has already shown promise in the development of large space structures. Pultrusion is used commonly to build large composite structures. Pultrusion is a continuous process of manufacturing composite materials with constant cross-section. It has the advantage of making high strength materials of consistent quality autonomously.
Recently sensors have been embedded directly into structures manufactured on the ground to make, e.g., stress sensors. In this process sensors are automatically embedded during manufacture. The application of this technology to space is as yet untapped even for terrestrial manufacture although Bragg gratings and Fabry-Perot sensors have already been embedded. The long term aim for COPMA Systems is to develop a space-based technology that allows manufacture of large structures with embedded sensors, electronics and actuators.
The COPMA System development is currently funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board. This web page will be updated with developments as they are made. If you have any questions, please contact us.
The COPMA System technology is patent pending