NASA ISAM State of Play 2025 Edition

Key Contributions

• Official NASA catalog of all active ISAM programs and their status
• Identifies technology gaps and investment priorities
• Maps near-term demonstration missions (2025-2028)
• Frames ISAM as critical enabler for sustained lunar presence, Mars missions, and space economy

Key Programs Tracked

• OSAM-1 (On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) — robotic servicing demo
• MRV (Mission Robotic Vehicle) — DARPA RSGS program, GEO servicing, launch 2026
• Eta Space LOXSAT-1 — cryogenic fluid management demo, 2026
• Orbit Fab Kamino depot — commercial refueling services, 2026
• Starship — propellant transfer as ISAM enabler

Technology Gaps Identified

• Autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) at scale
• Cryogenic fluid management in long-duration missions
• Standardized interfaces for servicing (multiple competing standards)
• In-space quality assurance and inspection
• Regulatory framework for commercial servicing operations

Market Context

• ISAM market growing driven by mega-constellation maintenance needs
• GEO satellite life extension is near-term commercial case
• LEO debris removal emerging as government-funded market
• In-space manufacturing still pre-commercial (TRL 2-5 for most approaches)

Source: ISAM State of Play 2025 — NASA Technical Reports, 2025