ISAM One-Stop-Shop
COSMIC – How to Get Involved
ISAM Events Calendar
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Event Name |
Dates |
Abstract Deadline (if applicable) |
Location |
Description |
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June 8 – 10, 2026 |
November 3, 2025 |
Long Beach, CA |
ASME’s 4th Annual Aerospace Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference (SSDM) gathers aerospace structures, structural dynamics, and materials engineers and researchers from industry, academia, and government agencies to discuss technical advancements in this growing sector. The program is designed to not only showcase the latest research but also encourage meaningful dialogue in a dynamic setting. |
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June 14 – 18, 2026 |
October 30, 2025 |
State College, PA |
The Manufacturing Engineering Division (MED) of ASME sponsors the Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC) every June. MSEC is the foremost annual forum for the scholarly exchange of advanced manufacturing research knowledge. It is intended to disseminate the most recent developments in manufacturing research through technical presentations, poster sessions, and panel sessions. |
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September 10, 2026 |
N/A |
El Segundo, CA |
This will be the 40th Manufacturing Problem Prevention Meeting (MP3) at The Aerospace Corporation. The MP3 Program has proven to be a valuable resource for both the Space Force and their contractors. The MP3 meeting enables an exchange of information between Space Systems Command and the contractor community on ways to prevent problems and minimize schedule and cost impacts on space programs. The MP3 program has evolved in recent years to focus predominately on new manufacturing technologies including evolving additive techniques, the process controls necessary for their use, and the opportunities of inserting these new evolving technologies into SSC missions as enablers for future requirements. These include new low-cost propulsion systems and structures for In-Space Manufacturing (ISM). Briefings will be presented by representatives from The Aerospace Corporation, SSC, Space Force Contractors, DOE, NASA, NRO, material suppliers, and local universities. |
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September 28 – October 2, 2026 |
N/A |
Orlando, FL |
The ASTM International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ICAM 2026) is dedicated to addressing that challenge. ICAM 2026 is proudly hosted by the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and supported by over a dozen ASTM technical committees. Key focus areas include:
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11 – 15 January, 2027 |
May 21, 2026 |
Orlando, FL |
IAA SciTech Forum is the premier aerospace R&D event of the year. It’s where approximately 6,000 from 46 countries come to witness breakthrough science, revolutionary technologies, and generation-after-next capabilities that are redefining what is possible in aerospace. By attending, you’ll immerse yourself in a wealth of information and leave with fresh ideas and new perspectives. |
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18 – 20 May, 2027 |
Washington, DC |
ASCEND defines a unique community engaged in a lifelong conversation about the universe. In everything we do — our centerpiece annual event, our supporting events and activities, our year-round communications, interactions and relationships — our mission is to build humanity’s off-world future faster, with you. |
Know of another event featuring ISAM? Let us know to promote it by emailing Membership-COSMIC@aero.org
ISAM Community Documents
ISAM National Strategy
Office of Science and Technology Policy
(April 2022)
“This National Strategy outlines how the United States will support and stimulate the United States Government (USG), academic, and commercial ISAM capability development. It provides strategic goals to advance ISAM capability development discussed in the United States Space Priorities Framework. The next step following the strategy is to develop USG implementation action plans to fulfill the goals.”
National Orbital Debris Implementation
Office of Science and Technology Policy
(July 2022)
“This Orbital Debris Implementation Plan provides tangible actions the United States will pursue to address the hazards posed by orbital debris…. This Implementation Plan accomplishes objectives outlined in the U.S. Space Priorities Framework. This Implementation Plan also builds upon the National Orbital Debris Research and Development (R&D) Plan published in 2021.”
National Cislunar Strategy
Office of Science and Technology Policy
(November 2022)
“The National Cislunar Science & Technology Strategy provides a vision and the first science and technology objectives for realizing U.S. leadership in Cislunar space, including the Moon. Fostering scientific discovery, economic development, and international cooperation are essential to sustaining this leadership.”
National ISAM Implementation Plan
Office of Science and Technology Policy
(December 2022)
“The ISAM Implementation Plan implements the strategic vision established in the April 2022 ISAM National Strategy… Achieving the strategic goals requires U.S. leadership and successful engagement and coordination with industry, non-profit organizations, academia, and the international community. Each of the National ISAM strategic goals is broken down into objectives to organize 28 discrete ISAM implementation activities that Federal departments and agencies will undertake to advance the ISAM National Strategy.”
ISAM Benefits, Challenges, and Policy Options
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
(July 2025)
“ISAM technology and capabilities could change the paradigm of how spacecraft are designed, built, operated, and discarded. Since the advent of artificial satellites, almost all have been “single use”: assembled on Earth, sustained in space with no outside intervention beyond communication, and discarded or abandoned when no longer functional. ISAM could reduce cost and risk, increase flexibility, and help to better address failures after launch… This report describes potential benefits and status of ISAM capabilities as well as challenges facing their development and use. It also identifies options policymakers could consider that might help realize benefits and address challenges.“
ISAM Community Resources
View and access resources such as the CONFERS Lexicon, CONFERS Publications, an Inventory of Space Consortia, and more!
This document defines best practices and requirements for the design, verification, and operation of prepared in-space storable fluid transfer systems and interfaces. The term “prepared” describes a spacecraft, spacecraft interfaces, and other accommodations intentionally designed to enable safe and efficient servicing. Modification of an existing spacecraft storable fluid transfer interface is outside the scope of this document. However, any spacecraft modified to meet the criteria stated herein may be considered “prepared.” The term “in-space” describes an environment outside a planetary atmosphere. This document includes requirements and recommendations for both servicer and client spacecraft. At present the recommendations’ scope is limited to storable (non-cryogenic) propellants and associated pressurants.
This document outlines the principles and practices that rendezvous and proximity operations and on-orbit servicing (RPO/OOS) service providers are expected to follow in order to ensure safe operations and to encourage a healthy RPO/OOS industry.
COSMIC Released Products
COSMIC Capstone Challenge
The COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3) is a competition that invites students to develop conceptual missions & designs for spacecraft operations in-orbit or on the lunar surface.
Want to learn more about C3? Visit the C3 webpage to stay up to date on next year’s competition and check out previous year’s materials below:
C3 Final Showcase: Full Event Playlists
C3 Posts
Want to Learn More about ISAM? Check These Out!
The Space Policy Show Series: ISAM
This 6-part series produced by the Aerospace Corporation covers a range of foundational topics regarding the current and future development efforts for an in-space economy based on in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technologies and missions.
Topics include:
- International standards-making
- How Stuff Works
- Extending capabilities with robotics
- Building US national collaboration
- International geo-economics
- Space Access, Mobility & Logistics (SAML)
You can find the series both on YouTube and as a podcast.
Groups and Related Activities of Interest to ISAM
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Mission: To ignite and celebrate aerospace ingenuity and collaboration, and its importance to our way of life.
Find out more at aiaa.org
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute
Mission: Exists to strengthen U.S. manufacturing through innovations in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), and prepare the workforce to work alongside these technologies.
Find out more at arminstitute.org
The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations
Mission: Develop industry-led recommendations for standards and guide international policies for servicing that contribute to a sustainable, safe, and diverse space economy.
Find out more at satelliteconfers.org
Future In-Space Operations
Mission: The FISO telecon series was designed as an effective outreach effort to bring space technology, engineering, and science to the widespread space community with presentations from leaders in their field.
View Previous Presentations at https://fiso.spiritastro.net/archivelist.htm
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Mission: To foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
Find out more at ieee.org
In-Space Developmental Test (iSDT) Initiative
Mission: To accelerate new technology development, overcome the technical readiness levels 4‒7 “Valley of Death,” and reduce acquisition cost.
For more information, contact Elozor Plotke at elozor.plotke(at)linquest.com and Peter Lai at peter.lai(at)linquest.com
The International Space Exploration Coordination Group
Mission: Provide a coordination mechanism through which individual space agencies may exchange information regarding interests, objectives, and plans in space exploration.
Find out more at globalspaceexploration.org
International Telecommunication Union
As the United Nations specialized agency for digital technology, we are working towards harnessing innovation and connecting everyone to ensure a better future for all.
Find out more at www.itu.int
Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium
Mission: To harness the creativity, energy, and resources of the nation to help NASA keep the United States at the forefront of lunar exploration.
Find out more at lsic.jhuapl.edu
National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
Mission: Execute applied research and development projects to improve Department of Defense (DoD) weapon and support systems by integrating key technologies, new materials, and innovative manufacturing processes.
Find out more at www.ncdmm.org
National Science Foundation
Mission: An independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Find out more at nsf.gov
The National Space Grant Foundation
Mission: Support and enhance the Space Grant Consortia in every state to carry out education, research, and public outreach activities in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology and additional fields, related to space, aeronautics, aviation, and Earth system science.
Find out more at spacegrant.org
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Mission: To promote space exploration and development through educational and engineering projects.
Find out more at seds.org
Space Force Association
Mission: Achieving superior national space power by shaping a Space Force that provides credible deterrence in competition, dominant capability in combat, and professional services for all partners.
Find out more at ussfa.org