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<p>Energy‑efficient in‑space additive manufacturing (iAM) will be a deciding factor in whether long‑duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond can move from demonstration to sustained operation. In our view, simply transplanting terrestrial AM processes into the resource‑constrained, power‑limited, and harsh environments of space is unlikely to succeed without a fundamental rethinking of how energy, materials, and process design are coupled. This perspective discusses how emerging low‑power AM approaches can be tailored to meet the requirements of microgravity and extraterrestrial surfaces, alongside <i>in situ</i> energy harvesting and utilization concepts intended to lessen dependence on Earth‑supplied power, and energy‑efficient remanufacturing pathways that enable closed‑loop use of space materials. By qualitatively comparing these directions with respect to energy demand, technology readiness, and integration potential, we highlight critical gaps and argue for a shift toward autonomous, energy‑aware in‑space AM systems. We hope these viewpoints will help steer future research toward resilient, mission‑ready manufacturing capabilities that can underpin truly sustainable space exploration.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Pathways to energy‑efficient in‑space additive manufacturing

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月3日

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  • Aolin Hou,
  • Jae Gwang Kim,
  • Prashant Dhakal,
  • Xiaofei Wu,
  • Yunchong Yang,
  • Jihyeon Kim,
  • Kwan-Soo Lee,
  • Jingjing Qiu,
  • Shiren Wang

摘要

Energy‑efficient in‑space additive manufacturing (iAM) will be a deciding factor in whether long‑duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond can move from demonstration to sustained operation. In our view, simply transplanting terrestrial AM processes into the resource‑constrained, power‑limited, and harsh environments of space is unlikely to succeed without a fundamental rethinking of how energy, materials, and process design are coupled. This perspective discusses how emerging low‑power AM approaches can be tailored to meet the requirements of microgravity and extraterrestrial surfaces, alongside in situ energy harvesting and utilization concepts intended to lessen dependence on Earth‑supplied power, and energy‑efficient remanufacturing pathways that enable closed‑loop use of space materials. By qualitatively comparing these directions with respect to energy demand, technology readiness, and integration potential, we highlight critical gaps and argue for a shift toward autonomous, energy‑aware in‑space AM systems. We hope these viewpoints will help steer future research toward resilient, mission‑ready manufacturing capabilities that can underpin truly sustainable space exploration.

Graphical abstract