DARPA is interested in exploring the feasibility of ‘growing’ biological structures of unprecedented size in microgravity.
This RFI seeks responses that address development pathways for very large (defined as 500 meters or greater in primary dimension) bio-mechanical space structures. Responses should directly address the following five items:
- Use case – the use-case for envisioned large bio-mechanical space structures
- Co-engineering – sights from both the structural/mechanical point of view, and the biological engineering point of view, to arrive at the envisioned useful structure
- Feedstock – how feedstock will be provided (and relocated if necessary) to the continuously growing edge.
- Value proposition – order of magnitude estimation of the mass ratio between traditional (non-biological) materials and biological materials, with a strong preference for as little traditional material as feasible
- Scope of Proof-of-Concept Experiment – Ground-based proofs of concept that address factors specific to the space environment and go from inception to notional finished structure
A workshop is being planned for April 2025 for the purpose of reviewing and discussing current and future research relevant to this RFI and assessing new methods to prove the potential of future very large bio-mechanical structures in space.
Responses to this RFI are due by 27 March 2025 via email to DARPA-SN-25-51@darpa.mil
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RFI – Large Bio-Mechanical Space Structures: DARPA-SN-25-51
