Hypothesized Surface: ISRU for Hypothesized Surfaces – Deep Space Metallurgy
INSTITUTION
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT)
CLASS
Tungsten Class (2023 – 2024)
STUDENT TEAM
Jonah Fechner, Mechanical Engineering
Ryan Krieghbaum, Mechanical Engineering
Scott Hennarty, Mechanical Engineering
Mikaela Ikeda, Mechanical Engineering
ACADEMIC GUIDANCE
Dr. Shraddha Sangelkar
Dr. Jay McCormack
Dr. Zac Chambers
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Deep Space Metallurgy’s project focused specifically on melting the metal on the surface of Psyche, assuming the metal can be inserted to our system and will exit the system to be manufactured. This design used induction-based heating to efficiently melt the metal, accounting for the environmental conditions of melting metal in space and the power constraints on Psyche. If taken further, this system could be used on different bodies in deep space, allowing less raw material to be sent into space, and accelerating the possibility of on-site deep-space construction.