Roundtable Reveals Way Ahead for On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing

September, 2019
IDA document: D-10840
FFRDC: Science and Technology Policy Institute
Type: Research Summary/Research Insights , Space
Authors:
Authors
Bhavya Lal and Benjamin Corbin See more authors
Design, capabilities, lifespan, and other aspects of spacecraft components are constrained by the fact that they are fully assembled on Earth and cannot typically be refreshed or improved once they are in space. On-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) technologies are being pursued to ease these limitations. A wide variety of space missions could benefit from these technologies; however, challenges related to technology development and the surrounding policy framework may restrict both development and adoption.