Review of in-space assembly technologies

TLDR

Traditional spacecraft manufacturing and launch methods cannot meet growing space mission demands, so in‑space assembly (ISA) offers a way to build large structures, enhance performance, and cut costs. This paper reviews the development and technologies of in‑space assembly. The review classifies ISA from multiple angles, maps its research status, surveys autonomous robot assembly across major space agencies, and analyzes key technologies in assembly structure design, robotics, and integrated management. ISA still faces major challenges but is expected to play a vital role in future human space exploration, with ongoing research needed to advance its development.

Abstract

With the rapid development of space technology and the increasing demand for space missions, the traditional spacecraft manufacturing, deployment and launch methods have been unable to meet existing needs. In-space assembly (ISA) technologies can effectively adapt to the assembly of large space structures, improve spacecraft performance, and reduce operating costs. In this paper, the development and technologies for ISA are reviewed. ISA is classified from multiple angles, and the research status of ISA is shown clearly through the visual mapping knowledge domain. Then the development status of autonomous robot assembly in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada and China is reviewed. Furthermore, the key technologies of ISA are analyzed from three aspects: assembly structure design, robot technologies and integrated management technologies. ISA technologies are still facing major challenges and need to be further explored to promote future development. Finally, future development trends and potential applications of ISA are given, which show that ISA will play a vital role in human space exploration in the future.