Understanding Building in Space
How the next era of spaceflight will make and build things in space instead of launching them — mining the Moon and asteroids, printing parts in orbit, and building depots, habitats, and power stations. Each technology's real maturity is stated honestly.
- 1.1Building in spaceWhy the future will not launch everything from Earth.
- 1.2Living off the land (ISRU)Water, oxygen, and metal from the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.
- 1.3Water: the keystone resourceDrinking water, oxygen, shielding, and rocket fuel.
- 1.4Making oxygen on MarsMOXIE demonstrated it on Perseverance.
Related entities
- Infrastructure domain
In-Situ Resource Utilisation
Using the materials found on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids — water ice, regolith, and metals — instead of launching everything from Earth. ISRU is the key to affordable, sustained exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
- ISRU technique
Oxygen Production
Producing breathable oxygen and oxidiser from local materials — from the carbon dioxide of the Martian atmosphere or from oxygen-bearing lunar regolith. NASA's MOXIE experiment on the Perseverance rover demonstrated making oxygen on Mars.
- Space manufacturing process
Additive Manufacturing
3D-printing parts and tools in orbit, layer by layer. A 3D printer has operated aboard the ISS since 2014, printing tools and spares on demand and pointing toward a future where spacecraft parts are made in space rather than launched.
- Space infrastructure
Propellant Depot
An orbiting fuel station that stores propellant so spacecraft can refuel in space. A depot would let missions launch 'dry' and top up on orbit, breaking the tyranny of carrying all their propellant from the ground.