session 8

Title

In-Space Manufacturing and Production Applications

type

oral

Description

In-space manufacturing represents an emerging capability that can revolutionize space exploration and utilization. Producing parts, tools, and even spacecraft in space eliminates the constraints and costs of launching every item from Earth. An IAC session would provide an important forum to share progress, innovations, and lessons learned. Speakers could highlight techniques like additive manufacturing with novel materials for spacecraft production and repair. Experts could also discuss biomanufacturing applications like tissue engineering and biomedicine production leveraging microgravity. Operators could share insights on managing material processing and fabrication off Earth. The symposium would connect leaders across disciplines tackling these technical challenges and catalyze innovations. As humanity expands into space, in-space manufacturing provides sustainability and cost benefits by enabling self-sufficiency. Terrestrially, it opens new avenues for manufacturing products impossible to produce in normal gravity. Commercial space companies are poised to benefit from reduced launch costs. As public and private entities target manufacturing in space, IAC participation would accelerate advances in this transformative field and maximize downstream applications on Earth.

IPC members

• Co-Chair: Dr. Fathi Karouia, NASA Ames Research Center, Blue Marble Space Institute Of Science; BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado Boulder, United States;

• Co-Chair: Prof. David Estrada, Boise State University (BSU), United States;

• Rapporteur: Dr. Albert Houcine TOUATI, Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), France;