# Emerging Chemical and Biological Materials Technologies in the Extraplanetary Environment

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how chemical and biological manufacturing can help produce materials in space, using technologies like synthetic biology and AI to overcome challenges on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of emerging chemical and biological manufacturing technologies for extraplanetary environments, emphasizing their potential for in-situ resource utilization.

## Key findings

- Chemical and biological manufacturing can produce life-support materials and propellants in space.
- Synthetic biology and AI are promising for addressing microgravity and resource limitations.
- The review highlights cross-disciplinary applications and future directions for space manufacturing.

## Abstract

The exploration and multiscale manufacturing in outer space hold vital significanceChemical and biological nano/micro/meso-scale manufacturing offer strategies to address challengesEmerging advances encompass novel manufacturing technologies and resource utilization strategies across orbital space stations, the Moon, Mars, and asteroidsEmerging technologies like synthetic biology and artificial intelligence are discussedKey innovations, cross-disciplinary applications, and limitations are highlighted

The exploration and multiscale manufacturing in outer space hold vital significance

Chemical and biological nano/micro/meso-scale manufacturing offer strategies to address challenges

Emerging advances encompass novel manufacturing technologies and resource utilization strategies across orbital space stations, the Moon, Mars, and asteroids

Emerging technologies like synthetic biology and artificial intelligence are discussed

Key innovations, cross-disciplinary applications, and limitations are highlighted

Space exploration and manufacturing are of critical importance for scientific advancement, technological innovation, national security, and the acquisition of extraterrestrial resources. In view of this, chemical and biological nano-/micro-/meso-scale manufacturing provide complementary approaches to overcome key space exploration challenges by enabling the in-situ production of essential life-support materials, propellants, and other resources. This review examines the origin and historical evolution of space manufacturing and the latest advances across different environments—from orbital space stations and the lunar surface to Mars and asteroids. It is structured to present the current state of research, outline key manufacturing strategies and technologies, assess the technical and environmental challenges, and discuss emerging trends and future directions. Besides, the potential applications of emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and artificial intelligence in overcoming the limitations of microgravity, limited resources, and extreme conditions are discussed. Ultimately, this integrative review could serve to guide future development, from advancing space science and disruptive manufacturing to enabling interdisciplinary and application-level innovations.