AI-generated summary
Experts at the Forum highlighted the emerging potential of automatic space factories capable of producing medications and molecules in microgravity environments, enabling the creation of compounds impossible to manufacture on Earth. Similarly, 3D printers operating in space could achieve results unattainable under Earth’s gravitational forces. These innovations open new business opportunities, including space-based food production to meet growing demands. The unique properties of elements manufactured in space could differ significantly from their Earth-made counterparts, offering novel applications and products.
However, experts caution that public acceptance might be a challenge, drawing parallels to the skepticism faced by genetically modified organisms. Overcoming consumer reluctance would require targeted awareness campaigns to educate both producers and consumers about the benefits and safety of space-manufactured goods. Jason Dunn, Co-Founder of Made In Space, emphasized in an interview at the Future Trends Forum that Earth’s limited resources necessitate shifting manufacturing to space as a sustainable solution to protect the planet. This approach could reduce environmental strain on Earth while fostering innovation in space-based industries, marking a transformative step in commercial space utilization.
One of the opportunities of the commercialization of space is the possibility of creating space factories.
Even though it could be included in the previous section, experts at the Forum wanted to emphasize the possibility of developing automatic space factories that are able to manufacture medication or its molecules in a free-fall environment that allows for the creation of molecules that are impossible to create on Earth. The same thing could happen with 3D printers, which could obtain results, otherwise impossible on Earth under the effects of gravity. These are a few business opportunities in that field. We could even consider food production as a solution to additional demand. The space manufacturing of elements with special characteristics and different from those they would have on earth.
In that case, we would need to take into account the possibility that the public might be reluctant to consume these products, replicating the rejection of genetically modified products. That would require additional awareness-raising efforts to convince potential stakeholders, whether they are companies that will produce the goods or people that will consume them.
Manufacturing in space to protect the Earth
Interview to Jason Dunn, Co-Founder and Director of Made In Space, at the XXXI Future Trends Forum about the Commercialization of Space.
Jason explains that the use of Earth’s resources has a limit so he proposes to manufacture in space to protect the planet.
Cofounder at Made in Space
