UK ISAM Capabilities
A project commissioned by the UK Space Agency. Run by Growbotics in partnership with Space Skills Alliance on behalf of the UKSpace ISAM Working Group
Key Outputs
Project Overview
Continuing from the IOSM Priorities Report (2023), in 2024 Growbotics have developed a capabilities map and report for the UK Space Agency. This initiative aimed to systematically analyse the landscape within this sector, assessing sovereign capabilities, pinpoint primary strengths and weaknesses, and identify key opportunities for the UK within the ISAM market. Growbotics worked closely with the UKspace ISAM working group and engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders through surveys, interviews and workshops to gain a comprehensive representation of the sector.
The project steering board, made up of key government and sector stakeholders, provided strategic direction and oversight for the project.
Final outputs consist of a UK ISAM capabilities map and final report containing an analysis of strengths & weaknesses in the field, finalised in December 2024.
FAQs
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As far as we can tell these are all acronyms with variation on the same theme.
In the first project steering board meeting, we agreed to try and use ISAM to refer to this project, as it includes the broadest definition and to correspond with international norms. However the UK Space Sector has been using IOSM and the project is referred to IOSM contractually, so usage may vary.
In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacture (ISAM)
In-Orbit Servicing & Manufacturing (IOSM)
On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (OSAM), or IOSAM - (In-Orbit)
The M is also interchangeable between Maintenance and Manufacturing and seems to vary depending on the context. We consider Maintenance to be included in Servicing.
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know.space’s study is quantifying the potential future IOSM market size (UK and international), and focuses on how regulatory and policy blockers/enablers will affect market development. The study builds on know.space’s expertise in economic analysis of the UK Space Sector.
Growbotics’ study focusses on the technology capabilities required for the UK to access this market, and where there are existing UK strengths, building on our domain expertise in ISAM as technical experts in the field.
The studies have been designed to complement, rather than overlap.