• Services
    • Transformation Consultants
    • Safety Consultants
    • Leadership and Organizational Performance
    • Major Capital Projects
    • High Integrity Turnarounds™
    • The School of Coaching
  • Impact
    • What Clients Say
    • Client Results
  • Insights
    • Articles, Blogs & Poetry
    • Press Releases
    • Events
    • Transformation Talks Podcast
  • People
    • Global Leadership Team and Partners
    • Partners
    • Managing Consultants
    • Board of Directors
    • Founders
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Vision
    • Our Perspective
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Let's Talk

In-space manufacturing could prompt more startups to reach for the stars

Published by Chloe Handley at October 31, 2019
JMJ Associates Logo
Latest News
  • From the Web

In-space manufacturing could prompt more startups to reach for the stars

Latest Blogs

Oct 31, 2019


We typically think of the manufacturing sector as being, well, earth-bound. Not so fast. Based on who you are asking, space-based technology manufacturing has moved beyond the mere hype phase.

It's starting to make waves at the onset of an investment growth curve. It's growing industry can be compared to the railroad boom of the early 19th Century in the United States. Who will be the next Cornelius Vanderbilt or tycoon of this new emerging space race? One bit of innovation technology could change the face of celestial startups as we know it: in-space manufacturing. The biggest challenge for in-space manufacturing and developing industries in space has been the sheer complex challenge of launching materials out of the atmosphere. It's costly, demanding, and extremely complex. Any given thing can go wrong. First of all, there are the natural laws of physics to contend with. Newer companies like Elon Musk's Space X and Blue Origin have tried to create new innovations and improvements on existing space launch methodologies. The sheer cost of the launch can eliminate many of these projects before they even start. When the financial hurdle is cleared, the next challenge is the unforgiving escape out of the atmosphere and gravity itself. There is so much pre-planning that must go into the shape of materials, dimensions, and their corresponding fragility or rigidity that will ensure their survival in a rocket launch mission to outer space. You can't manufacture materials that won't survive the mission out of the atmosphere. Innovative designs like the spring-style expanding antenna developed by NSLComm for communications satellites can provide workarounds for some of these limitations, but not all. But in-space manufacturing technology currently in development may have the potential to obviate both hard design and launch cost limits. A number of companies are already developing the capability to build spacecraft, research equipment, and advanced hardware in space using components and base materials transferred from Earth (much easier than transporting complex devices) and, potentially, mined locally from asteroids, planetary bodies or even decommissioned and non-functional older satellites. A company based out of Mountain View called Made In Space has made it its mission to create new innovative in-space manufacturing technologies and methods. Five years ago, Made In Space deployed the first-ever 3D printer into space to test its durability and ability to function in lower levels of gravity. This is a huge leap forward. The goal is to manufacture telescopes and the ability to improve upon existing spacecraft so that they could be fixed and built, real-time in outer space.

Read the source article at techcrunch.com



Depending on who you ask, space-based technology is past peak hype, at the beginning of its investment growth curve, or in an infrastructure-building phase akin to the railway industry in 1800s America. One emerging technology could change everything for startups and aerospace giants, however — in-space manufacturing.

One of the hard limits of building businesses in space is launching things to space. It’s a difficult problem to overcome, and the cost realities of making it happen are bound to some extent by physics, even with efficiencies made possible by new approaches from companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab and Blue Origin.

Launching objects from Earth to space doesn’t just carry a financial burden; escaping our gravity and atmosphere is not a gentle process, and there are limits to the fragility, shape and materials that can be used in payloads delivered to orbit on a rocket, even when covered by a protective fairing.

Read the source article at techcrunch.com


View All Client Results

Capital Projects Client Results
DSME Completes TCO FGP WPMP Fabrication Safely and ahead of Schedule for the Tengizchevroil Expansion Project
DSME Completes
Client Results Manufacturing
Global Manufacturing Corporation Reduces Quality Defects and Improves Bottom-Line Performance
One of the worl
DSHI Fabrication Yards in Korea Builds Strong Safety Culture on TCO FGP Major Capital Project
Client Results Safety
DSHI Fabrication Yards in Korea Builds Strong Safety Culture on TCO FGP Major Capital Project
At Korean fabri
Japanese Engineering & Construction Corporat Achieves Breakthrough Improvement in Safety Performance
Client Results Safety
Japanese Engineering & Construction Corporation Achieves Breakthrough Improvement in Safety Performance
The JGC Corpora
Russian Petroleum Operations Company Achieves a Shift in its Health and Safety Culture
Client Results Safety
Russian Petroleum Operations Company Achieves a Shift in its Health and Safety Culture in 9 Months
SPD had been wo



From the Web

Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered by Experts
Coronavirus From the web
Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered by Experts.
With the coronavirus sending us all indo
coronavirus
From the web
Working from home because of coronavirus? Be careful what you download to keep cybersafe
Welcome to the new normal: working from
Increase engagement through communication
From the web
Increase engagement through communication
Safety training sessions and conducting
We typically think of the manufacturing sector as being, well, earth-bound. Not so fast. Based on who you are asking, space-based technology manufacturing has moved beyond the mere hype phase.

  • Author
Chloe Handley
Chloe Handley Administrator
Chloe Handley has progressed to Global Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist since joining JMJ in 2011. Chloé’s experience spans both agency and in-house; working with brands such as Sodexo, Rics, Neopost, Harley Medical Group, Lancashire Constabulary, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Coca-Cola. Her experience spans lead generation through digital design and marketing, brand narrative and consistent business and client-focused targeted marketing communications. Chloé’s responsible for managing brand development and marketing and communication strategies across JMJ, helping to drive growth and maintain JMJ’s market lead position. She works with internal teams to develop tailored marketing plans across a range of communications channels – in line with JMJ’s business development objectives.
follow me
JMJ
  • Corporate Headquarters
    Arboretum Plaza One
    9442 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 450,
    Austin, Texas 78759
  • +1 (512) 795-0795
  • Email Us

Services

  • Transformation Consultants
  • Safety Consultants
  • Leadership and Organizational Performance
  • Major Capital Projects
  • High Integrity Turnarounds™
  • The School of Coaching

Locations

  • Americas Office – Austin
  • APAC Office – Singapore
  • EMEA Office – London
  • Middle East Office – Doha
  • Kazakhstan Office – Atyrau
  • South Korea Office – Seoul
  • Australia Office – Perth

Connect

  • linkedin
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Youtube
Privacy | Terms of Use | Trademarks | Accessibility | Cookie Policy | Feedback | Site Map |

© 2020 JMJ Associates LLP. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of JMJ Associates content or logo, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of JMJ Associates.

    Start Unlocking Human Performance


    Arrange a call with one of our consultants today. Please complete your details below:

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    This site uses cookies to provide you with a more personalised service. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. Please read our cookie policy for more information on the cookies we use and how to delete or block them.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

    SAVE & ACCEPT