Exploring the engineering behind making, assembling and sustaining infrastructure beyond Earth.
A selected reading collection drawn from Dr Richard Arundal’s doctoral dissertation, alongside more recent papers and programme developments. Each entry explains its relevance and links to a publisher, research repository or official source.
Literature and links reviewed on 12 October 2026.
Richard’s 2026 thesis introduces OOMSAT, a modular MATLAB tool for exploring orbital manufacturing mission scenarios. The reading below connects that work with structural assembly, robotics, process assurance and material resources.
Explore OOMSAT and the Research Findings ↗Richard Arundal · Doctoral Thesis · 2026
For the complete reference list, see Appendix C of the dissertation. This page is a curated starting collection, rather than a reproduction of the full bibliography or a systematic review.
Read the Thesis ↗Browse foundational literature or the additions from the October 2026 search. Publication dates describe the sources; older findings and programme plans should be read in their original context.
A foundation for thinking about launch constraints, modular structures and in-space construction. Useful context for the scale of infrastructure that orbital manufacturing could support.
Structures & Assembly · From the Dissertation
NASA record and downloadable paper. Thesis bibliography: p. 158.
Combines robotic handling, precision jigging and electron-beam welding in a proposed assembly approach. Relevant to the interfaces between manufacturing processes and structural-system design.
Structures & Assembly · From the Dissertation
NASA record and downloadable paper. Thesis bibliography: p. 161.
Reviews robot dynamics, control, capture and ground verification. A historical foundation for the robotic capabilities needed around an orbital manufacturing or assembly facility.
Robotics · From the Dissertation
University repository and paper. Thesis bibliography: p. 163.
ECSS-Q-ST-70-39C covers welding processes and quality assurance for space-flight hardware. Useful assurance background; it is not, by itself, a qualification route for a process operating in orbit.
Processes & Assurance · From the Dissertation
Official standard and download. Thesis bibliography: p. 162.
A materials reference for the wider question of manufacturing with resources beyond Earth. This concerns lunar regolith simulant, rather than a demonstrated orbital production process.
Materials & Resources · From the Dissertation
Public bibliographic record; full text restricted. Thesis bibliography: p. 163.
The 2025 edition surveys ISAM missions, activities and technologies across eleven functional areas. A useful starting point for updating technology assumptions and identifying related capabilities.
Mission Architecture · Added in the October 2026 Review
NASA record and full report. Published 1 October 2025.
Describes inspection and mechanical testing of a metal sample printed aboard the ISS, including CT scanning and comparison with an Earth-made sample. Relevant to validation and quality assurance; the update does not publish final comparative results.
Processes & Assurance · Added in the October 2026 Review
Official agency article. Published 13 November 2025.
Proposes robotic assembly of modular CubeSats, combining teleoperation, autonomy and a digital process twin. Useful for studying factory orchestration and assembly testing; this is a concept and research-gap analysis, not an operating orbital factory.
Robotics · Added in the October 2026 Review
Full paper · PDF. Presented at IAC 2025.
Investigates structures designed for fabrication in space. The programme page describes planned 2026 demonstrations of composite extrusion and truss assembly; it does not establish that those demonstrations have been completed.
Structures & Assembly · Added in the October 2026 Review
Official programme page. Programme information checked 12 October 2026.
NASA’s headquarters announcement records cancellation and an orderly shutdown. Important context when revisiting older literature: the page also retains historical mission descriptions, which should not be treated as evidence of an upcoming launch.
Mission Architecture · Added in the October 2026 Review
Official mission page and announcement. Page updated 23 March 2026; cancellation decision announced in 2024.
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