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The In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) project is responsible for developing the capabilities that will provide on-demand, sustainable manufacturing, repair, and recycling operations during NASA Exploration Missions (in-transit and on-surface). This includes testing & advancing the desired technologies, as well as establishing the required skills & processes for the processes (such as certification and characterization) that will enable the technologies to become institutionalized.
The capability to produce hardware on-demand, using 3D printing technologies, will directly lower cost and decrease risk by having the exact part or tool needed in the time it takes to print. This project is the first step towards realizing a “machine shop” in space that is a critical enabling component of any Deep Space Exploration Mission. Successful development of a material recycler will allow deep-space missions to reuse existing material and require less original feedstock for printed parts. Customers for ISM include NASA deep space missions (Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate), specifically the Advanced Exploration Systems Division, the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development Program, and the ISS Program.
There are many savings associated with having an additive manufacturing device available during a mission:
1. Reduced up-mass and volume for spare parts resulting in fewer launches (i.e., decreased cost and schedule to achieve exploration missions).
2. Does not require fabrication, launch, and flight time from Earth for delivery.
3. Production time can be on the order of minutes or hours.
4. Ability to print parts and/or architectures never conceived due to the unique attributes of additive manufacturing and not having to design around launch load constraints.
Customers for ISM include NASA deep space missions (Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate) specifically the Advanced Exploration Systems Division, the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development Program, and the ISS Program. There are many savings associated with having an additive manufacturing device available during a mission.
1. Reduced up-mass and volume for spare parts resulting in fewer launches (i.e., decreased cost and schedule to achieve exploration missions).
2. Does not require fabrication, launch, and flight time from Earth for delivery.
3. Production time can be on the order of minutes or hours.
4. Ability to print parts never before conceived to build structures, handle mission critical situations, etc.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.