Large Bio-Mechanical Space Structures

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is exploring the feasibility of 'growing' biological structures of unprecedented size in microgravity, leveraging recent advances in metabolic engineering, extremophiles, and biological self-assembly.

The goal is to create very large (500+ meter length) useful space structures that could revolutionize in-space assembly infrastructure. Examples include tethers for space elevators, grid-nets for orbital debris remediation, and self-assembled wings for commercial space stations.

This initiative aims to reduce the amount of material launched from Earth by utilizing biological growth mechanisms in space.

Work Details
DARPA's Biological Technologies Office (BTO) seeks information on methods to create and functionalize large, self-assembled, mechanically stable biological growths in space with structural rigidity.

The RFI requests insights on:
1) Use case for large bio-mechanical structures;
2) Co-engineering insights from both structural/mechanical and biological engineering perspectives;
3) Feedstock provision and relocation methods;
4) Value proposition including mass and volume ratios between traditional and biological materials;
5) Scope of proof-of-concept experiments addressing factors specific to the space environment.

Period of Performance
Responses are due by March 27, 2025. A hybrid workshop is planned for April 2025 to discuss research relevant to this RFI.

Place of Performance
San Francisco Bay Area, California