The Self-Replicating Space Station is designed to assist in situ missions in space through providing fabrication and mineral resources.
It is inspired by companies such as Deep Space Industries (DSI) and Planetary Resources which have begun the race to utilise asteroid materials for in-situ resources during space missions, minimizing the number of space missions to and from earth.In situ resources can provide the material used to 3d print on site.
The self-replicating space station proposes a swarm-based organisation system. The space station will provide in-situ power, resources, and fabrication facilities for future
Each agent in any swarm system has three key functions: cohesion, separation and alignment.
The mine forms the connection between the asteroid source and the space station. Mines are mobile and eventually build their way towards the location of the space station. Mines are assisted by nearby powerstations collecting solar radiation.
The factory is designed to robotically fabricate large structures through use of 3d printing technologies in a conveyor-type production line layout.