Evaluating Risk for Astronaut Involvement in In-Space Manufacturing: Analog Field Testing and Future Planetary Surface Procedures

Abstract

Introduction A key objective of the NASA Artemis program is to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, along with its international and commercial partners. NASA aims to establish a lunar economy, increasing the need for infrastructure to support human habitation and facilitate growth. In-space manufacturing (ISM) coupled with in situ resource utilization (ISRU) can reduce launch mass and reduce the dependency on Earth resupply for long-term habitation, enabling rapid expansion. However, the space environment introduces unique challenges compared to Earth, such as the absence of an atmosphere, reduced gravity levels, and high consequences of human-machine interactions given the barrier to evacuating an astronaut injured in a manufacturing accident on the Moon, necessitating new safety standards for ISM processes. Methods This study proposes the application of a modified analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to identify high-risk aspects of crew procedures in molten regolith electrolysis (MRE) for both Earth-based analog testing and lunar production. Results The modified AHP assists in pinpointing areas needing hazard mitigation to protect crew members, enabling the improvement of safety standards for MRE in both environments. Conclusion Findings will inform the development of robust safety protocols for ISM, crucial for the success of NASA's Artemis missions and the broader goal of sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.