TY - JOUR
T1 - In-orbit assembly of high-value modular infrastructures
T2 - Holistic analysis and mission concepts
AU - Nair, Manu
AU - Rai, Mini C.
AU - Reade, Sarah
AU - Bloch, Ori
AU - Adlen, Sam
AU - Soltau, Martin
AU - Homfray, David A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2026/1/1
Y1 - 2026/1/1
N2 - Despite efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, global dependency on fossil fuels is growing. Space-based power generation and transmission offers a weather-independent and economically feasible solution to enhance reliability and reduce costs. There is growing interest in testing and commercializing continent-scale Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) generation and transmission. However, the orbital infrastructure deployment and associated logistics of a Solar Power Satellite (SPS) remain immature. Advancements in Robotics, Automation, and AI are key to enabling in-orbit assembly and operations for large infrastructures like SBSP and Large Aperture Space Telescopes (LAST). Addressing these challenges, the paper begins with a holistic cost–benefit and risk assessment of SBSP, structured around the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) framework. The paper further explores the significance of developing modular truss structures for in-orbit assembly and disassembly with robotic intervention, introducing an innovative tri-truss design that is both scalable and suitable for infrastructures such as SBSP and LAST. The paper showcases the scalability and versatility of the state-of-the-art End-Over-End Walking Manipulator (E-Walker) for undertaking in-orbit robotic assembly and disassembly of large infrastructures. Results from microgravity simulations using ROS2/Isaac Sim highlight E-Walker's mobility performance and its potential to support expansive missions like SBSP and LAST. The Mission Concept of Operations outlines the assembly of a 25 m LAST mirror and defines a modular assembly and disassembly algorithm for a 2.5 m SBSP truss segment. By enabling collaborative in-space construction, E-Walker reduces the need for extravehicular activities and facilitates maintenance, manufacturing, and decommissioning. Collectively, this research advances the state of the art in in-space assembly technologies for future orbital infrastructure.
AB - Despite efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, global dependency on fossil fuels is growing. Space-based power generation and transmission offers a weather-independent and economically feasible solution to enhance reliability and reduce costs. There is growing interest in testing and commercializing continent-scale Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) generation and transmission. However, the orbital infrastructure deployment and associated logistics of a Solar Power Satellite (SPS) remain immature. Advancements in Robotics, Automation, and AI are key to enabling in-orbit assembly and operations for large infrastructures like SBSP and Large Aperture Space Telescopes (LAST). Addressing these challenges, the paper begins with a holistic cost–benefit and risk assessment of SBSP, structured around the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) framework. The paper further explores the significance of developing modular truss structures for in-orbit assembly and disassembly with robotic intervention, introducing an innovative tri-truss design that is both scalable and suitable for infrastructures such as SBSP and LAST. The paper showcases the scalability and versatility of the state-of-the-art End-Over-End Walking Manipulator (E-Walker) for undertaking in-orbit robotic assembly and disassembly of large infrastructures. Results from microgravity simulations using ROS2/Isaac Sim highlight E-Walker's mobility performance and its potential to support expansive missions like SBSP and LAST. The Mission Concept of Operations outlines the assembly of a 25 m LAST mirror and defines a modular assembly and disassembly algorithm for a 2.5 m SBSP truss segment. By enabling collaborative in-space construction, E-Walker reduces the need for extravehicular activities and facilitates maintenance, manufacturing, and decommissioning. Collectively, this research advances the state of the art in in-space assembly technologies for future orbital infrastructure.
KW - End-over-end walking manipulator (E-Walker)
KW - In-orbit assembly and disassembly
KW - Large Aperture Space Telescope
KW - Modular space infrastructures
KW - PESTLE analysis
KW - Space-based solar power
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018102840
U2 - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.09.070
DO - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.09.070
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105018102840
SN - 0094-5765
VL - 238
SP - 1418
EP - 1431
JO - Acta Astronautica
JF - Acta Astronautica
ER -
