In Space Manufacturing – Advanced Space Technologies for Resilient Operations (ISM-ASTRO)

The purpose of ISM-ASTRO is to complete advanced studies and establish increased industry engagement while providing guidance for future In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) investments. This task will focus on metals in space manufacturing, but also consider other ISM areas including verification technologies, recycling, electronics in space manufacturing, and modeling. Overall scope will be tied to the potential for commercial development of ISM capabilities to address NASA and entrepreneurial objectives (for example, logistics reduction and the ability to decrease the number of spares needed to be carried on a mission.) Leveraging In-Space Manufacturing processes for support of all aspects of sustained space presence are of interest, including, but not limited to, outfitting, repair, maintenance, assembly, construction, and production. Planned tasks include: 1. Issue a Request for Information (RFI) to industry to define the current state of ISM and related processes. 2. Identify mission infusion points for ISM technologies that align with existing commercial business plans and goals, including any gaps or barriers to infusion, and determine the most effective near-term actions which can be taken to advance the maturity of these methods in alignment with both NASA's mission and commercial goals. 3. Update In-Space Manufacturing strategic roadmaps for the Advanced Materials, Structures, and Manufacturing focus area. 4. Re-evaluate metal manufacturing processes to provide additional information on the potential feasibility for In Space Manufacturing. 5. Utilize build parts to provide a mechanism for relative comparisons. 6. Initiate a new trade study considering the certification/verification process tailored for In-Space Manufacturing. 7. Engage with industry/academia through Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) collaborative tasks. 8. Engage with Commercial LEO Destination providers to understand microgravity infusion drivers.

In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) is essential for NASA's sustained presence in space. The advancement of this manufacturing segment is critical to the agency's strategic plan as it increases mission flexibility and repair capabilities, allows for the creation of large structures on-site, and reduces the number of spare parts that must be carried on missions. ISM enables human presence to be extended from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to the Moon and Mars. In addition, it promotes the exploration of new frontiers, scientific discovery, economic growth through transformational space technologies, and innovation that potentially includes terrestrial applications. To this end, the ISM-ASTRO task is inviting input from the commercial sector for the next steps of manufacturing in space; first, in-orbit around the Earth, and then, on the surface of the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and other planetary bodies. Advancements in metallic manufacturing methods suitable for the space environment are specifically of interest; however, other focus areas also to be considered are recycling, electronics, modeling, and verification technologies. Autonomous and limited human-input ISM methods are of specific interest. By partnering with commercial entities, ISM-ASTRO is engaging with the space industrial base and potential entrants into the growing space economy. This will result in a focused, strategic approach to In Space Manufacturing technology development that will magnify the outcome of NASA investments. ​

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.