This paper defines space manufacturing, then discusses the potential processes and product types that are implied in the definition. Both current government early planning and commercial industry formulative thinking contribute to the definition.
How quickly space processing or space productization occurs is directly tied to critical technologies, legal implications, and business incentives.
A roadmap to space manufacturing is offered. It sets forth the time phased events that must occur in the near term 1982-1987 to cause space manufacturing to be commercially profitable in the 1990\u27s. The key to any attempt at scoping the promise of space manufacturing is the timely involvement of the private sector in space activities. The cornerstone of this involvement is the need for strong government commitment, backed by funding, to the concept of promoting United States commercialization of space for national benefits
