Construction equipment in space

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I was going to say that it sounds like a topic that would make a good
paper for a space conference. Make a exhaustive list of the machines
used in several industries then define functions of each and way they
are different from machines with similar functions and then
extrapolate a minimum set of machines required for space industries.
Major problem is that there is not a one-for-one translation. How
machines are designed is highly dependent on the types of raw /
processed materials being used and the building method. Droplet or
vapor deposition would never be considered for building a large
structure on earth. Whereas it is an excellent method for space
construction.

Mitchell James
www.innertransit.org (collaborative engineering on the web)

| So, I was looking at some construction going on here in Toronto.
| There's something I find very fascinating about construction equipment
| - all of these specialized vehicles for getting the job done.

| Has there been much done by way of designing hypothetical construction
| equipment for space projects? As much as I like the idea of
| self-reproducing colonies and all that, I think it's still going to be
| a long time before we have something like that. Assuming that, then, we
| might need something more akin to what we're used to seeing here on the
| ground.

| Now, gravity's used throughout the construction process - you don't
| realize you're relying on it, of course, since it's so ingrained; but
| it's very important. A crane, for example, would function very
| differently in free fall. So the process of building any reasonably
| complex space habitat-type structure would need many different
| specialized construction vehicles and devices. I've seen some nifty
| looking vehicles in some space art, but nothing more than that. Is that
| the limit it's reached? Is this something that would just be assumed to
| be tackled when the time comes?

| Vince

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