Designing Tomorrow:

Building Smarter Space Factories Before They Launch

By Rason Roberson
Industry Value Expert, Aerospace & Defense
Dassault Systèmes

In-Space Service, Assembly, and Manufacturing has advanced in recent years across startups and with major OEMs. While servicing and assembly are advancing, the best chance of success and growth for manufacturing in space is in controlled environments. 

Until now, government space stations such as the ISS have been the main source to develop or conduct manufacturing in space. With the emergence of both government sponsored and independent space station launch initiatives, we should see commercial shop floor and laboratory real estate available in orbit by the end of the decade.

Industry must plan for these capabilities and what equipment and techniques used terrestrially can be ported to space for manufacturing.  Before layout of a factory and production lines in space, we can leverage the virtual world and digital twins to ensure all aspects are considered. 

Automation will be a key aspect and is being leveraged already by companies for launch and return of small-scale manufacturing during a capsules flight. 

Commercial space stations will likely be crewed most or all of the time, but will have a level of automation and AI in the form of virtual companions. These companions will assist with day-to-day operations of the station as well as its manufacturing or experimentation objectives. 

In order to best prepare for these capabilities, we can leverage the virtual world, generative design, digital twins of factories, factory sub-systems, materials needed, and even supply chains to optimize design, output, and sustainment before bringing into the real world.

Digital tools, simulation, and generative design can create productive and efficient factories and laboratories in space empowered by automation and AI virtual companions to provide products to improve life on earth.