Commissioners have voted in favor of an inquiry that will explore in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM). This could help companies build satellites and stations in orbit, for instance, while finding new ways to deal with growing volumes of space debris. The support ISAM will ideally help the FCC adapt to space tourism, huge private satellite constellations and a larger general shift toward commercial spaceflight. Blue Origin, Axiom and other companies are building commercial space stations, and even NASA is preparing for a time when it might lease space aboard corporate facilities. In-orbit satellite repairs might also prove crucial in minimizing space junk from a wave of privately-operated satellites.

Source: The Nation September 18, 2022 18:00 UTC