# DARPA Demonstrates In-Space Assembly

DARPA’s NOM4D program demonstrated automated on-orbit assembly of a truss structure and reflective mesh, showing how large space systems could be built beyond the packaging limits of launch vehicles. The program is nearing completion, with a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign composite-processing experiment planned for the International Space Station later in 2026. The signals identify no open solicitation, contract value, or procurement contact, but the demonstration offers an indicator of potential future demand for space manufacturing, robotics, advanced materials, payload integration, and mission support.

- The validated assembly approach could inform future government space missions requiring structures too large to launch in assembled form.
- Companies working in autonomous assembly, composite processing, payload hosting, launch, and on-orbit support can assess how their capabilities align with future space-manufacturing work; the signal does not identify an active bid opportunity.
- The planned ISS experiment provides a further technical milestone for the program, but no specific procurement timeline or follow-on contract is stated.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Defense Sciences Office (DSO)

### Vendors
- Momentus (Payload-hosting, integration, and on-orbit mission-support provider)
- SpaceX (Launch services provider)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (Research performer)
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Research performer on the planned space-based composite-processing project)

### Key Quotes
> It’s the speed and the scale that made this a DARPA project. We went from the idea of an on-orbit demo to launching a working prototype into space in 15 months.
> — Andrew Detor, NOM4D program manager

### Sources
- [NOM4D program demonstrates automated in-space assembly | DARPA](https://www.darpa.mil/news/2026/nom4d-program-demonstrates-automated-in-space-assembly) - Darpa