Special Issue: In-Space Manufacturing

Pioneering the Frontier of In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and ManufacturingThe manufacturing industry stands on the brink of a transformative era—one defined not by terrestrial advancements alone but by humanity's expanding presence in space. As the world's first journal issue dedicated to in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) reaches your hands, it marks a pivotal moment in engineering history. This emerging field represents the confluence of advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace engineering, and systems design, opening possibilities kicking off the next industrial revolution and enabling missions once deemed impossible.By moving production beyond Earth's surface, we can overcome the limits of gravity, logistics, and traditional supply chains. Imagine constructing communication networks of unprecedented size directly in orbit, assembling habitats on the Moon or Mars, fabricating replacement parts on demand aboard spacecraft factories in orbits and extra-terrestrial surfaces, manufacturing new CHIPs and electronics, new pharma drugs, mining on asteroids, and much more. These are no longer science fiction; they are engineering problems, and this journal aims to serve as the platform where solutions take shape.Yet, the challenges are immense. Designing systems functioning in microgravity, extreme temperatures, and high radiation environments requires rethinking manufacturing processes. Traditionally tailored for Earth's conditions, materials and processes must be adapted—or even created—to perform in space. Robotics and autonomous systems, essential for operations beyond human reach, must achieve unprecedented reliability and precision. Resiliency and sustainability are critical; ISAM must embrace closed-loop systems that minimize operational risks and waste and leverage in situ resources, such as regolith on the Moon or metals from asteroids, or reusing parts from prior missions.This inaugural issue brings together thought leaders and innovators to address these challenges head-on. Topics include advancements in robotic assembly systems, novel material development for extra-terrestrial applications, breakthroughs in additive manufacturing processes optimized for space, and the integration of ISAM into mission planning. Each contribution underscores the interdisciplinary nature of ISAM, where collaboration across scientific and engineering domains is paramount. Let this first issue be a call to action—a reminder that the future of manufacturing is not confined to Earth but extends into the vastness of space, where now everyone can go!