MARS-M
The MARS experiment focuses specifically on the application of selective melting of a powder bed using a laser (PBF-LB). The powders used are metals, including metallic glasses. Preliminary work in this direction has been carried out since 2018 at the Institute of Materials Physics in Space, in collaboration with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). To achieve this goal, the institute has developed a compact payload for research rockets that can carry out and monitor the manufacturing process fully automatically in zero gravity.
In addition to the development of robust and lightweight hardware, the greatest challenges are the further development of the manufacturing process so that it also works without the effects of gravity. The developed flight system was tested for the first time in September 2019 during a parabolic flight campaign under microgravity conditions. An important milestone was reached in May 2021 with the first space flight on the MAPHEUS-11 research rocket, during which a workpiece made of solid metallic glass was produced in space using the PBF process for the first time in the world. The knowledge gained will be used to further optimize the process and test it with other materials.
Technical data:
Manufacturing process: PBF-LB
Laser: IR laser with up to 280W
Focus diameter: 80 µm
Height: 700 mm
Weight: 56 kg
Control: - Fully automatic production process
- Remotely controllable from the ground station
Construction volume: 45 mm x 45 mm x 20 mm (L x W x H)
Tested materials: - Stainless steel
- titanium
- AMZ4
- Vit105
Literatur: DOI:10.1038/s41526-023-00327-7