Space Manufacturing Technology Report Submitted to The National Space Council on December 20, 2023.
Prepared by: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Department of Defense Department of Commerce
Executive Summary:
On September 9, 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris convened the Biden-Harris Administration’s second National Space Council meeting at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This meeting focused on advancing Administration priorities including expanding space science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce, human space exploration, and rules for commercial novel space activities.
To harness the full potential of space, Council members underscored the need to grow, diversify, and strengthen our Nation’s space-related industries and workforce. It was agreed that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of Commerce (DOC), within 180 days from September 9, 2022, would develop recommendations to ensure the space sector is included in federal programs, such as Manufacturing USA, to accelerate the Nation’s capabilities in manufacturing space technologies while ramping up capacity to meet rising workforce demand in the space industrial base (SIB).
This report focuses on five areas and includes 14 recommendations that are actionable by NASA, DOD, DOC, and other federal departments and agencies. When implemented, these recommendations will lead to increased understanding of existing infrastructure and identification of current capabilities and future needs for space manufacturing. Cognizant entities will support and, where necessary, establish new partnerships between federal departments and agencies, industry, private sector organizations, and academia – domestically and internationally. Stakeholders will incubate and accelerate space manufacturing entrepreneurship while further aligning current and future federal investments that support space manufacturing technology needs. The report concludes with recommendations to grow and strengthen pathways to space manufacturing careers for people of all backgrounds.