Made in Space

Made in Space (MIS) was established in August 2010 by founders Aaron Kemmer, Jason Dunn, Michael Snyder, and Mike Chen, who met during the Singularity University Graduate Studies Program. The company's core objective is to enable off-world manufacturing, fundamentally altering the economics of space exploration and infrastructure development. A significant milestone was achieved in November 2014 when MIS successfully manufactured the first-ever 3D-printed object in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This event validated the company's additive manufacturing technology in a microgravity environment.

The company's business model centers on providing in-space manufacturing and robotic assembly solutions. Its primary client has been NASA, securing multiple high-value contracts through programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Tipping Point. These contracts have been instrumental in funding the development of its key technologies. MIS generates revenue through these government contracts and by offering its Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) on the ISS to commercial companies and government agencies for a fee. In June 2020, MIS was acquired by Redwire, a space infrastructure company formed by private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, providing MIS with greater resources and scale.

Made in Space's product portfolio is headlined by its zero-gravity 3D printers and the Archinaut platform. The initial 3D printer demonstrated the feasibility of on-demand tool and part fabrication in space. Building on this, the Archinaut program is a more advanced system combining a robotic arm with an additive manufacturing machine to construct and assemble large-scale structures, such as solar arrays and antennas, directly in orbit. This capability allows for the creation of assets that are too large or delicate to survive a rocket launch. Another key development is the production of ZBLAN optical fiber in microgravity, which promises significantly lower signal loss compared to terrestrial-made fibers, benefiting industries like telecommunications and super-computing.

Keywords: in-space manufacturing, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, space infrastructure, robotics, NASA contractor, Archinaut, off-world manufacturing, satellite technology, ZBLAN fiber