Platform One

3D printing isn’t lost in space in zero gravity

Researchers in Scotland have developed a 3D printer that can operate in zero gravity in orbit. Instead of the filaments used in 3D printers on Earth, the printer uses a granular material, designed to work effectively in microgravity and the vacuum of space....

Platform One

Powered descent guidance algos for reusable rockets

Blue Origin and Space X have shown how rocket launchers can return autonomously to Earth, and now researchers in China have published algorithms for powered descent guidance (PDG) for reusable rockets to accomplish high-precision landing...

Platform One

Organic photovoltaic solar cell works in space

Researchers in the US have developed a flexible, organic, photovoltaic (OPV) solar cell that functions well in space. Space missions often decide on gallium arsenide for its high efficiency and resistance to damage from protons, but it is expensive...

Platform One

NASA report on Ingenuity rotorcraft’s failure on Mars

US space agency NASA has published its accident report into the failure of its Ingenuity rotorcraft on Mars, showing early designs for its successor. Ingenuity lasted 72 missions on Mars and flew 30 times further than intended Engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and AeroVironment...

Platform One

3D-printed rotor actuator

Flying-Cam has used 3D printing to develop a tail rotor actuator for its latest UAV. The actuator is built using a powder bed fusion (PBF) process with the Windform XT 2.0 carbon fibre-reinforced composite from CRP Technology. This has been used for the Discovery single rotor uncrewed helicopter, which has a 75 kg MTOW to carry payloads...

Platform One

Modular solution to conversion

ABD Solutions has developed a modular platform that can turn existing mining, agricultural and military vehicles into driverless ones. Indigo Drive is a complete autonomy solution that converts a vehicle to driverless operation...