Gravitics Sets Up a Rigorous Trial Zone for the Next Gen of Massive Spacecraft

Excitement is building in the space sector over the transformative potential of heavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s New Glenn. These advancements are expected to lead to significantly larger spacecraft, as designers are no longer as limited by the need to keep weight down.

However, this expansion faces a technical hurdle: current spacecraft testing standards cater to payloads of 4 meters in diameter or smaller. This is a notable challenge for entities such as Gravitics, which is in the process of creating space station modules that not only meet this standard size but extend up to a vast 8 meters in diameter. These modules are envisioned to be the foundation of future human space exploration endeavors.

In response, Gravitics is stepping up its game. The company has recently revealed an agreement with NASA aimed at filling the current void in testing and qualification techniques for larger spacecraft components. The comprehensive range of qualification procedures they’re developing, including thermal, vacuum, vibration, and acoustic tests, is crucial for verifying that these spacecraft can endure the rigors of launch and the extremes of space. Setting new benchmarks for the testing of substantial spacecraft components is thus vital.

This initiative is particularly relevant for the numerous private enterprises eager to establish the next wave of private space stations in low Earth orbit. With the advent of larger capacity rockets on the horizon, it’s anticipated that the approach to space station construction will evolve. The aim is to shift away from the extensive and mission-heavy process used to assemble the International Space Station, towards launching fewer, yet larger, modules.

“Our aspiration is to supply modules suitable for every type of mission, from smaller ones like Stoke to the massive sizes compatible with Starship, ranging from three to eight meters. Collaborating with organizations such as NASA is critical to achieving this, enabling us to elevate our capabilities to orbit the moment the rockets and our clients are ready,” said Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics, during a recent interview.

One hurdle is vibration testing intended to mimic launch-induced vibrations to ascertain post-launch functionality of the spacecraft. Conventionally, smaller spacecraft undergo tests on shaker rigs, which are incapable of accommodating or adequately shaking larger spacecraft to simulate those stressors. Moreover, the extant approach to testing presupposes a level of portability, complicating the process for spacecraft that span 8 meters across as they need to be transported to various testing facilities nationwide.

Doughan clarified that their new agreement with NASA isn’t about creating a mandatory standard but rather ensuring a NASA-endorsed framework for launching Gravitics’ offerings. While not guaranteeing an exclusive endorsement from NASA, it sets the groundwork for potentially standardizing new testing methods through collaborative verification.

“The prospect of launching significantly larger space modules, habitats, transport vehicles, and other infrastructural components presents an increase in capability,” said Mike DeRosa, Gravitics’ co-founder and CMO, via email. “This advancement opens up possibilities for larger space telescopes and other assets that could greatly benefit humanity, all of which will require validated flight certification processes. Gravitics is at the forefront of establishing the necessary methodologies and standards for this new era.”