{"id":87,"date":"2023-10-17T17:48:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T17:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/?page_id=87"},"modified":"2026-05-28T21:13:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:13:59","slug":"technology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n OCP System <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

OCP has been an advocate for the use of in-situ resources in the construction of large space structures from its inception. It is our firm belief that if humanity is to inhabit space, we will need artificial gravity produced by rotating structures to keep people healthy and happy. Due to the limitations of human physiology in withstanding inner ear disruptions (spatial disorientation) from rotation, the size of the rotating structures will need to have a diameter greater than 300 meters for Moon normal (1\/6 Earth) gravity and up to a diameter of 2 kilometers for Earth normal. Building structures of this size using traditional methods would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the need for the use of in-situ resources.<\/p>\n

OCP has been doing extensive research into additive manufacturing using thermosets mixed with a filler for the construction of large space structures. From our research we have a patent pending 3D orbital printer design that can print objects up to 100 meters in diameter using in-situ resources. We have also tested several different types of epoxies and RTVs mixed with fillers that can be mined or manufactured on the Moon. OCP\u2019s latest concept uses 100% bio derived thermosets and fillers providing the ability to grow, in orbit, the required in-situ materials.<\/p>\n

Our recent biomaterials research, in collaboration with Change Climate Pty Ltd, was to determine if biomaterials can withstand the space environment and be useable in an additive manufacturing system. Extensive testing showed that the concept is valid but requires further materials development.<\/p>\n

Using the information we have gathered and compilation of our research, we have developed a program called The First Step.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \n
\n

\n \n Project Name: The First Step <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n

\n \n Defining First Step: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n
    \n
  • First step in the orbital manufacturing of large structures.<\/li>\n
  • First step in permanent human habitation of space (as opposed to continuously manned).<\/li>\n
  • First step in man spreading across the Solar System.<\/li>\n
  • First step in reducing reliance on Earth resources.<\/li>\n
  • First Step in providing means and methods for the US to seize the technological and commercial lead in utilization of our solar system and its resources.<\/li>\n
  • First step in developing an advanced and robust space defense for the United States.<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n

    \n \n Program Purpose: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n
    \n To construct the First Step manufacturing station using virtually 100% renewable, \u201con-station\u201d, produced plant-based thermoset epoxy mixed with plant fiber fillers in an additive manufacturing system. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n \n
    \n

    \n \n Description of Station 520: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n
    \n

    The First Step Manufacturing System (FSMS) provides capability for large structure manufacturing and a symbiotic environment that supports human and plant health. The FSMS is a rotating orbital, cylindrical manufacturing system with a diameter of 320 meters and a height of 16 meters (not including the gravity stabilization boom). Upon completion, it will have a livable pressurized space of approximately 774,000 cubic meters and, at the rim, provide gravity of approximately equal to the Moon (1\/6 g<\/em>). At the center of the structure will be an additive manufacturing printer capable of producing segments up to 50 meters in diameter by up to 6 meters thick. The first FSMS will be called Station 520<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    The pressurized area will support:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • The farms and processing equipment to provide the raw materials for the attached printer,<\/li>\n
    • drug manufacturing,<\/li>\n
    • thin film manufacturing,<\/li>\n
    • pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and<\/li>\n
    • support for military personnel functions.<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      \n \n
      \n

      \n \n Goals: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
      \n
      \n
        \n
      • To establish the standard for the construction of large space structures.<\/li>\n
      • To construct the means to continuously build large structures using minimal Earth resources.<\/li>\n
      • To provide an environment where humans can live and work with minimal body degradation due to environmental factors such as microgravity and radiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n
        \n

        \n \n Construction Steps: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
        \n
        \n
          \n
        1. Launch seven (7) V3 sized Starship vehicles containing:\n
            \n
          • enough scaffolding for the station skeleton,<\/li>\n
          • hydroponics materials,<\/li>\n
          • necessary items for the construction of the 3D printer located at the center,<\/li>\n
          • plant processing equipment,<\/li>\n
          • food, water, air, tools, and EVA suits used by the construction crew,<\/li>\n
          • repair station for EVA suit and equipment maintenance, and<\/li>\n
          • small startup crew\u2019s quarters \/ work area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Using the scaffolding, build the station skeleton incorporating the six vehicles. Relocate appropriate items (propulsion, electronics, pumps, etc.) from the vehicles to their permanent placement on the scaffolding.<\/li>\n
          • Connect the tanks and cargo areas providing pressurized sections for the initial farms.<\/li>\n
          • Begin 1\/3 rotation; mount and activate hydroponic systems.<\/li>\n
          • Assemble and activate the plant processing system as raw material becomes available and create Stellamer (thermoset epoxy and plant fibers) for use in the printer.<\/li>\n
          • Using Stellamer, print the outside skin and inside bulkheads.<\/li>\n
          • As the outside of the station is skinned, enclose and pressurize sections for new hydroponic farms.<\/li>\n
          • Once the construction of the station is complete, increase rotation to 1 rpm and welcome tenants.<\/li>\n<\/ol> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
            \n
            \n
            \n \n
            \n

            \n \n Program steps: <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
            \n
            \n
              \n
            1. \n
                \n
              1. Develop Stellamer by testing various mixes of bio-thermosets and plant fibers for compatibility with the space environment (heat, cold, radiation, impacts, stresses), and additive manufacturing.<\/li>\n
              2. Using the Stellamer formula(s) developed in step 1, determine feasibility of the First Step program.\n
                  \n
                • Required farm volume,<\/li>\n
                • what quantity and support will be needed from Earth, and<\/li>\n
                • can resources from other areas, i.e. the Moon, be substituted for the Earth resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                • Construct prototype orbital printer (patent pending).<\/li>\n
                • Test prototype printer in microgravity.<\/li>\n
                • Using lessons learned, build and test new full-scale printer in the space environment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  \u00a0<\/p>\n

                  Testing reports and other papers can be found in the reference section.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  OCP has been an advocate for the use of in-situ resources in the construction of large space structures from its inception. It is our firm belief that if humanity is to inhabit space, we will need artificial gravity produced by rotating structures to keep people healthy and happy. Due to the limitations of human physiology […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-87","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"

                  OCP System<\/h2>\n

                  OCP has been an advocate for the use of in-situ resources in the construction of large space structures from its inception. It is our firm belief that if humanity is to inhabit space, we will need artificial gravity produced by rotating structures to keep people healthy and happy. Due to the limitations of human physiology in withstanding inner ear disruptions (spatial disorientation) from rotation, the size of the rotating structures will need to have a diameter greater than 300 meters for Moon normal (1\/6 Earth) gravity and up to a diameter of 2 kilometers for Earth normal. Building structures of this size using traditional methods would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the need for the use of in-situ resources.<\/p>

                  OCP has been doing extensive research into additive manufacturing using thermosets mixed with a filler for the construction of large space structures. From our research we have a patent pending 3D orbital printer design that can print objects up to 100 meters in diameter using in-situ resources. We have also tested several different types of epoxies and RTVs mixed with fillers that can be mined or manufactured on the Moon. OCP\u2019s latest concept uses 100% bio derived thermosets and fillers providing the ability to grow, in orbit, the required in-situ materials.<\/p>

                  Our recent biomaterials research, in collaboration with Change Climate Pty Ltd, was to determine if biomaterials can withstand the space environment and be useable in an additive manufacturing system. Extensive testing showed that the concept is valid but requires further materials development.<\/p>

                  Using the information we have gathered and compilation of our research, we have developed a program called The First Step.<\/p>\n

                  Project Name: The First Step<\/h2>\n

                  Defining First Step:<\/h3>\n
                  • First step in the orbital manufacturing of large structures.<\/li>
                  • First step in permanent human habitation of space (as opposed to continuously manned).<\/li>
                  • First step in man spreading across the Solar System.<\/li>
                  • First step in reducing reliance on Earth resources.<\/li>
                  • First Step in providing means and methods for the US to seize the technological and commercial lead in utilization of our solar system and its resources.<\/li>
                  • First step in developing an advanced and robust space defense for the United States.<\/li> <\/ul>\n

                    Program Purpose:<\/h3>\nTo construct the First Step manufacturing station using virtually 100% renewable, \u201con-station\u201d, produced plant-based thermoset epoxy mixed with plant fiber fillers in an additive manufacturing system.\n

                    Description of Station 520:<\/h2>\n

                    The First Step Manufacturing System (FSMS) provides capability for large structure manufacturing and a symbiotic environment that supports human and plant health. The FSMS is a rotating orbital, cylindrical manufacturing system with a diameter of 320 meters and a height of 16 meters (not including the gravity stabilization boom). Upon completion, it will have a livable pressurized space of approximately 774,000 cubic meters and, at the rim, provide gravity of approximately equal to the Moon (1\/6 g<\/em>). At the center of the structure will be an additive manufacturing printer capable of producing segments up to 50 meters in diameter by up to 6 meters thick. The first FSMS will be called Station 520<\/strong>.<\/p>

                    The pressurized area will support:<\/p>

                    • The farms and processing equipment to provide the raw materials for the attached printer,<\/li>
                    • drug manufacturing,<\/li>
                    • thin film manufacturing,<\/li>
                    • pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and<\/li>
                    • support for military personnel functions.<\/li> <\/ul>\n

                      Goals:<\/h2>\n
                      • To establish the standard for the construction of large space structures.<\/li>
                      • To construct the means to continuously build large structures using minimal Earth resources.<\/li>
                      • To provide an environment where humans can live and work with minimal body degradation due to environmental factors such as microgravity and radiation.<\/li> <\/ul>\n

                        Construction Steps:<\/h2>\n
                        1. Launch seven (7) V3 sized Starship vehicles containing:
                          • enough scaffolding for the station skeleton,<\/li>
                          • hydroponics materials,<\/li>
                          • necessary items for the construction of the 3D printer located at the center,<\/li>
                          • plant processing equipment,<\/li>
                          • food, water, air, tools, and EVA suits used by the construction crew,<\/li>
                          • repair station for EVA suit and equipment maintenance, and<\/li>
                          • small startup crew\u2019s quarters \/ work area.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
                          • Using the scaffolding, build the station skeleton incorporating the six vehicles. Relocate appropriate items (propulsion, electronics, pumps, etc.) from the vehicles to their permanent placement on the scaffolding.<\/li>
                          • Connect the tanks and cargo areas providing pressurized sections for the initial farms.<\/li>
                          • Begin 1\/3 rotation; mount and activate hydroponic systems.<\/li>
                          • Assemble and activate the plant processing system as raw material becomes available and create Stellamer (thermoset epoxy and plant fibers) for use in the printer.<\/li>
                          • Using Stellamer, print the outside skin and inside bulkheads.<\/li>
                          • As the outside of the station is skinned, enclose and pressurize sections for new hydroponic farms.<\/li>
                          • Once the construction of the station is complete, increase rotation to 1 rpm and welcome tenants.<\/li> <\/ol>\n

                            Program steps:<\/h2>\n
                              1. Develop Stellamer by testing various mixes of bio-thermosets and plant fibers for compatibility with the space environment (heat, cold, radiation, impacts, stresses), and additive manufacturing.<\/li>
                              2. Using the Stellamer formula(s) developed in step 1, determine feasibility of the First Step program.
                                • Required farm volume,<\/li>
                                • what quantity and support will be needed from Earth, and<\/li>
                                • can resources from other areas, i.e. the Moon, be substituted for the Earth resources.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
                                • Construct prototype orbital printer (patent pending).<\/li>
                                • Test prototype printer in microgravity.<\/li>
                                • Using lessons learned, build and test new full-scale printer in the space environment.<\/li> <\/ol> <\/li> <\/ol>

                                  \u00a0<\/p>

                                  Testing reports and other papers can be found in the reference section.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/87","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87"}],"version-history":[{"count":47,"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/87\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":356,"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/87\/revisions\/356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orbitalconstructionpioneers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}