By 2030, when the U.S. government or a company wants a new satellite in orbit, a robotic spider might build it in space.

Six- or eight-legged robotic spiders, capable of working with a 3D printer, gripping large objects and welding them together, are expected to build satellites or small spacecraft in the lower Earth orbit.

That means fewer spacecraft will be built on the ground, packed into a spacecraft and launched into space. Avoiding the stresses and expense of launch, the satellites will be less expensive, bigger and higher functioning.

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