NASA’s On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) autocapture test bed. Photo: NASA

NASA has selected The Aerospace Corporation to lead a consortium to develop in-space servicing capabilities collaborating with government, industry, and academia. 

The consortium will focus on in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) — capabilities in space that can extend the life of missions, or manufacturing in space.  

The Aerospace Corp announced the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities — dubbed COSMIC — on April 19. NASA selected Aerospace Corp for the role in February, under its existing NASA Specialized Engineering, Evaluation and Test Services contract.

“ISAM is a true game changer for the developing space ecosystem. From in-space refueling to assembling spacecraft on-orbit, these capabilities will reshape how we think about operating in space and support critical missions ranging from national security to space exploration,” said Steve Isakowitz, Aerospace president and CEO. “We are proud to work side by side with NASA to convene experts from across the space enterprise to advance these pivotal capabilities.”

NASA said this consortium will build on tech demonstrators from across the public and private sector like NASA’s own On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing missions, and Northrop Grumman/SpaceLogistics Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV).