Factory in space – shaping the scenario

Interest in long-term space exploration has continued to gain interest over the past decade. This increasing interest demands a shift in the designing and manufacturing of space equipment. Currently, several space structures depend on many constraints mainly linked to the launch systems, affecting cost, volume, and mass. The factory in space is a concept that proposes the manufacturing & assembly of parts directly in space rather than on Earth. The capability to launch single components of a large structure to build and assemble in space robotically would allow for more flexible missions with onsite repair and recycling capabilities of large space infrastructures, including habitats, giant telescopes, and mission platforms. Factory in space leads to cost reduction due to initial take-off weight decrease and the decline in the dependence on spare parts. This paper employs a narrative literature review to understand the research efforts to integrate manufacturing systems in space exploration. Waste management is recognized as a critical factor in the efforts to achieve the factory-in-space concept. Implementing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) can help manage and reduce space waste. Finally, areas of further research are highlighted to understand further and advance the possibilities of factory-in-space.