Astroport Space Technologies

Space Construction, Lunar Landing Pad Operations

[FlyIt @FlyItRealFast]

https://t.co/7zsoYtbeJc

A company called @AstroportSpace is currently working on new infrastructure technology for the moon. They are primarily focused on landing pads, but they are also doing research on lunar habitats and lunar power generation.
To repeatedly and safely land on the Moon, you need a flat, hard, and durable surface. Astroport is working on creating pavers using lunar regolith to provide this surface. This is a challenge, given the nature of the lunar regolith (which is made up of pulverized rock created by past impacts) and the extreme lunar surface environment (which is a near vacuum with temperatures ranging from -290 °F at night to +240 °F during the day).
Kudos to @esherifftv for finding the company and getting an interview with their CEO Sam Ximenes. I like Mr. Ximenes' way of thinking about the Moon as a new continent. I guess that would make the space between the Earth and Moon (cislunar space) a new ocean, wouldn't it?

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[Ellie in Space 🚀💫 @esherifftv]

Landing on the moon is difficult due to its uneven surface and the presence of regolith, a layer of loose, fragmented material.
Regolith is problematic because it can damage equipment and pose safety risks during landings.
Using regolith to create bricks for building landing pads is a smart use of in-situ resource utilization, reducing the need to transport materials from Earth.
Astroport Space Technologies in San Antonio, Texas, is developing technology to manufacture these regolith bricks, aiming to create safe, durable landing sites on the moon.
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/0lepozCpaa

[Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 @JoeTegtmeyer]

This is Part 1 (of 2) of my visit to the @AstroportSpace laboratory where they are currently using lunar regolith simulants, vacuum chambers with induction heating, kilns & other equipment to test prototype bricks that will someday form the landable surface for Starship and other lunar landers to safely arrive and depart from the moon!

This is an extremely difficult challenge made more so by the distances to the moon, the inability (at least for some time) to have in-situ logistics and support, and the unforgiving environment of the lunar surface.

In this part 1 video, we discuss the science involved with creating the brick prototypes, failure modes they are experiencing and the large mission objectives Astroport has for supporting long-term lunar habitation.

Astroport Space Technologies is currently manifested on the initial SpaceX Starship HLS demo landing currently expected sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. During this demonstration landing, Astroport in conjunction with their partners including Astrolab will demonstrate their patented magnetic levitation system to sift the lunar regolith to the desired 70 micron level, which will be a key part of their technology to produce the required lunar bricks that will form the landing surface.

Thank you to Astroport, CEO Sam Ximenes & the Asroport team for allowing me to visit and share much of what I saw and learned during this amazing visit! I wish them the very best of luck achieving their lofty goals! @esherifftv @Erdayastronaut @FelixSchlang @MarcusHouse

[Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 @JoeTegtmeyer]

Conversation with Astroport Space CEO!

I talk with CEO Sam Ximenes & the Executive Officer of the WEX Foundation about the mission of Astroport, the technologies they are developing to help make lunar landings safer in the future, & some of the STEM outreach they are doing with the community.
Astroport is being funded via a NASA SBIR contract & is in phase 2 of the development & demo process. In addition, Astroport in conjunction w/ Astrolab will be manifested on the 1st SpaceX HLS Starship demonstration landing on the moon ahead of the Artemis III mission which will being humans back to the moon for the 1st time in over 50 years.
Their goal during the Starship HLS demonstration landing is to demonstrate a novel lunar regolith sifting & separation process & gather data on the composition of the regolith to improve their modeling & simulated materials which in turn, will improve their brick manufacturing processes & autonomous robotic production equipment.
I hope you enjoy this video & discussion, & I am will release my next video clip which takes place in the laboratory with their engineering team soon!

[Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 @JoeTegtmeyer]

Unexpected Discussion about Giga Texas videos during my Astroport Space Tour today!

I had a great tour of the Astroport Space, a company trying to work on a solution to lunar regolith blasting by rocket landers such as @SpaceX Starship.

While I was there, Will, a young intern who is a Junior at Stanford studying mechanical engineering told me my Giga Texas videos helped inspired him to study mechanical engineering & be a part of the human return to the moon efforts!

I was very surprised to hear this, but very gratified to think my drone videos could have this kind of effect.

Here is a short clip of our conversation and I thought I’d share. Full video still in progress!

[Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 @JoeTegtmeyer]

This is a short preview clip of my discussion with Sam Ximenes, the CEO of Astroport Space Technologies. This follows on my Overview short video clip (Link below) earlier today!

This company is trying to solve the problem of landing on the moon by creating technologies & plans for landing surfaces on the moon that may help @SpaceX, @NASA and others in the future!

Full video will be out soon! @esherifftv @FelixSchlang @MarcusHouse @CSI_Starbase

[Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 @JoeTegtmeyer]

I recently visited Astroport Space Technologies which is working with @NASAArtemis to develop technologies to greatly reduce risks of landing spacecraft on the lunar surface & mitigate landing exhaust regolith plume problems.

This is an overview of my visit & what they are working on. Their solution may help future @SpaceX, @NASA & other mission & literally pave the way to permanent habitation!

Main video coming soon!