Large Bio-Mechanical Space Structures

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a Special Notice focusing on innovative biological approaches to creating large-scale space structures through advanced metabolic engineering and biological self-assembly techniques. The notice explores the potential for "growing" biological structures exceeding 500 meters in length within microgravity environments. This groundbreaking research aims to leverage recent advances in extremophile properties, tunable materials, and biological mechanical design principles to develop unprecedented space infrastructure. Potential applications include space elevator tethers, orbital debris remediation grid-nets, large-scale interferometers, and self-assembled space station components. The opportunity represents a significant departure from traditional manufacturing methods by positioning biological processes as a complementary approach to in-space assembly infrastructure.

The Special Notice invites responses through a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks detailed input on biological structure development methodologies. Contractors must submit their responses by March 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET via email to DARPA-SN-25-51@darpa.mil, with a hybrid workshop planned for April 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Eligible participants include universities, research centers, private companies, and government laboratories, with participation determined by invitation based on submitted white papers. The RFI requires specific formatting, including a 1-page cover sheet, 3-5 pages (maximum 10) of technical description, and a 2-page bibliography, all in 12-point font. Key areas of interest include potential use cases, co-engineering approaches between structural and biological systems, feedstock provision methods, comparative value propositions, and ground-based proof-of-concept experiment scopes.