Robotic welding project to prepare UK for in orbit repairs

Researchers at the University of Leicester are leading work to develop what they describe as the UKs first in space robotic welding capability, supported by new funding from the UK Space Agencys National Space Innovation Programme Call 2 for a project known as ISPARK, the Intelligent SPace Arc welding Robotic Kit.

The ISPARK programme, valued at 560,000 pounds including 485,000 pounds from the UK Space Agency, will design and test a robot mounted arc welding system intended for in orbit repair, structural joining and future orbital manufacturing.

Engineers plan to qualify the system for operation in the hostile conditions of space, where vacuum, microgravity, thermal swings and radiation, along with safety risks and physical dem

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