Dupage Policy Journal

State Representative Amy Grant recently highlighted research initiatives in Illinois through a Facebook post on December 11. She said, "Illinois researchers are kicking off new phase of program to explore space-based manufacturing."

"Illinois researchers are kicking off new phase of program to explore space-based manufacturing," said Grant, according to Facebook.

According to the Facebook post, Grant shared a link to a report from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The report detailed efforts by university researchers as they embark on a new phase of Mission Illinois. This study aims to send a composite tube manufacturing machine to the International Space Station (ISS) and is expected to demonstrate space-based manufacturing by the summer of 2026. The project is supported by 4.5 years of research funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) focusing on space materials, manufacturing, and structural design.

Screenshot of State Rep. Amy Grant's Dec. 11 Facebook post | State Representative Amy Grant's Facebook page

The mission has an 18-month timeline, with the final six months dedicated to sending the apparatus into space. It will be connected to a small module outside the ISS where astronauts will conduct experiments. Sameh Tawfick, professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explained, "The goal of this project is to test an energy-efficient chemical process that transforms a liquid material into a solid material — known as curing — to enable on-orbit manufacturing and construction of large space structures such as new space telescopes, radio frequency antennas and other sensors with high-dimensional and mechanical precision and mass efficiency over massive sizes, some more than 300 meters in diameter."

Mission Illinois is part of DARPA’s Novel Orbital Moon Manufacturing, Materials, and Mass Efficient Design Program and is currently in its third phase.

Grant represents the 47th House District. Her political career includes six years on the DuPage County Board from 2012-2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Pittsburgh and has resided in Wheaton for over two decades with her husband. They are actively involved in their community through various organizations including the DuPage County Historical Museum Board and Glen Oaks Hospital Community Partnership Committee.