On orbit fabrication and assembly of large space structural subsystems

The evolving use of large space systems, with accompanying large truss-like structures, creates the need to develop an on-orbit fabrication and assembly capability for producing structural elements and structural subsystems. Such a capability is a basic necessity for extremely large structural subsystems because of the economy of operations resulting from the on-orbit conversion of high-density material stock into low-density structural elements. This paper discusses the development of large space structural subsystems; in particular the role a generic structure plays in that development. This generic structure embodies the key issues of the structural subsystems of various classes of large space systems and as such, when its development is completed a proof-of-capability will have been accomplished for a wide variety of large space structures.