Master Plan
Roadmap to A developing
Space Commerce
Omar Alayli, Founder of Future Space Architecture, April 4, 2024
Our Mission
Accelerate the expansion of human civilization beyond Earth through developing a robust orbital logistic infrastructure.
Space 5.0
We define Space 5.0 as the first step into a future where a self-sustaining space-based economy is established, characterized by extensive industrial and commercial operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond, with critical segments of the space mission and product supply chain migrating from Earth to orbit.
Accelerate the expansion of human civilization beyond Earth through developing a robust orbital logistic infrastructure.
Key Characteristics of Space 5.0:
- In-Space Logistics and Supply Chains: which involves the migration of parts of the supply chain systems into space, including In-Space transportation, storage, and distribution hubs & networks that operate complementary to earth supply chain and logistic operations.
- In-Orbit Manufacturing and Assembly: The development and deployment of technologies that enable the fabrication and assembly of spacecraft, satellites, and other structures directly in space, reducing reliance on Earth-based manufacturing and launch constraints.
- Space-Based Resource Utilization: The extraction and processing of extraterrestrial materials, such as minerals from asteroids or lunar regolith, to support off-earth construction, fuel production, and other industrial needs in space.
- Commercial Habitats and Infrastructure: The establishment of privately-owned and operated habitats, research facilities, and other infrastructure in orbit and on the moon, supporting a diverse range of commercial activities from tourism to scientific research.
- Integrated Earth-Space Economies: A seamless integration between terrestrial and space-based economies, where goods, services, and data flow bidirectionally, fostering new markets and economic opportunities.
The Company
We believe that The future of human settlement in space is orbital. Our journey to commercialize and settle in Earth and Lunar orbits parallels the westward expansion of the American frontier, akin to the utilization of the ‘covered wagon’ and subsequent railroads that stabilized the settlement network.
The goal of Future Space Architecture (FSA) is to realize Space 5.0 by building comprehensive in-orbit logistics, manufacturing, and resource infrastructures. We aim to decentralize the space economy and support integrated entrepreneurial ecosystems in Low-Earth and Lunar orbits.
We achieve this goal by developing our Flagship projects,
EDEN Prime (EP) : a general-purpose orbital logistic spacecraft that allows a true space economy where goods, resources, and an entire supply chain can be logistically managed and operated in orbit.
EP Cargo Capsule : a versatile in-space cargo container designed to facilitate seamless resource mobility between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Lunar orbits. Delivered to orbit by rockets, the capsule is autonomously picked up and birthed into EDEN Prime, FSA’s flagship orbital logistics spacecraft, for efficient transportation to various orbital assets, including space stations, micro-stations, and FSA Hubs.
EDEN Hubs: Clusters of connected EDEN Primes and Cargo Capsules, strategically positioned at stable waypoints between Earth and the Moon. They serve as logistical distribution centers, enabling efficient and scalable in-space commerce.
We realize that our company’s journey will span decades, demanding a team with unrivaled dedication, significant financial investment, and breakthroughs in engineering to create a mass-market impact. Though the path ahead is fraught with risks, success holds the promise of a monumental positive impact on humanity’s expansion beyond our atmosphere, positioning us as a leading force in the global market.
The Present
Presently, we witness the rapid evolution and growth of the space sector within the global economy, yet the absence of a thriving in-orbit space economy remains conspicuous. FSA defines an in-orbit space economy as the system of making money and producing and distributing goods and services in the region of and beyond Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
In our current state of affairs, we are limited by our capacity to launch and store resources in orbit. This necessitates balancing and considering factors such as payload launch capacities, frequency of launches, mission durations & trajectories, availability of destination storage, and the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.
We have no dedicated orbital infrastructure to store and manage cargo, resources, and raw materials. Such infrastructures allow for the development of new projects and servicing of assets in orbit. This infrastructure bottleneck will keep us within a traditional space industry and flatline any potential for an in-orbit space economy, or at best, consolidate it within a handful of cooperations and national agencies.
The Possibilities
Thankfully, the early 21st century has ushered in a space revolution characterized by an unprecedented fusion of innovation, ambition, and potential.
We stand on the threshold of a new era in space exploration, one that promises to extend humanity’s reach beyond the confines of our Earth and fundamentally reshape our economic and technological landscapes.
Technological advancements, from satellite technology to the global adoption of reusable launch vehicles, make space access more sustainable and cost-effective. We are witnessing the beginning of the democratization of space.
Economically, the Space Sector is projected to reach 1 Trillion USD by 2040 – and that is the conservative estimate. The FAA’s Authorized operation forecasts 288 Space Operations in 2027 vs. 74 Actual operations that were authorized in 2022.
Moreover, the space sector is becoming a crucible for innovation in energy production, resource utilization, and habitat construction. Projects such as asteroid resource extraction, orbital solar farms for power generation, and the creation of off-world habitats merely scratch the surface, offering tantalizing glimpses into a future where space technology not only supports life on Earth but also sustains human communities beyond our planet.
From first-hand experience in Architecture, urban planning, and project and construction management, I know that the availability and proximity of resources are crucial to every cycle of any project, from design to construction to handover, maintenance, and operation.
At FSA, our commitment lies in constructing an in-orbit infrastructure to catalyze a new frontier—a vibrant in-orbit space economy. In this economy, labor, resources, and logistical support are accessible and abundantly available in orbit, laying the foundation as humanity embarks on exploring, designing, and constructing projects for space in space.
We recognize 3 Business opportunities:
The Solution
The prevailing approach to establishing a real-world presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) relies on employing launch technology to deploy various space vehicles into orbit. These vehicles, which include space planes, shuttles, and capsules, are each tailored to carry out a specific function and return to Earth. They are designed to operate in a range of conditions, including the challenge of re-entry. Contrarily, our proposition focuses on creating a single, versatile logistic vehicle designed specifically for the microgravity environment of space. This singular vehicle is intended to fulfill thousands of different roles, streamlining operations in LEO by eliminating the need for a multitude of specialized spacecraft.
EDEN Prime, our spacecraft, boasts a comprehensive suite of supporting systems akin to an independent micro station, encompassing vital elements such as electrical power, environmental control and life support, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), thermal regulation, command and handling systems, and communication infrastructure.
EDEN Prime facilitates the fulfillment of intricate logistic requirements within the in-orbit industry, providing businesses and projects in orbit with seamless access to a dependable and continuous stream of resources stored and managed in space.
Additionally, our space vehicle operates without downtime—once deployed in orbit, it remains operating there, circumventing the challenges associated with re-entry and supporting systems.
How We Can Accomplish It
In 20 years of Studying, designing, managing, and executing large complex projects, I’ve never seen a potential market size similar to what an in-orbit logistic vehicle can bring.While achieving this goal poses formidable challenges, it remains within the realm of possibility. We will require significant advancement in Specialized and Interdisciplinary technology. Today, tasks we take for granted here on Earth, such as delivering water and food or rescuing people from life-threatening situations, are extremely challenging and restricted for our astronauts and assets in orbit. We are fully committed and focused on making significant contributions to these areas of advancement. We can accomplish this by utilizing:
- Unboxed Concept: From the outset, we integrate design and manufacturing to develop an EDEN Prime product that can be streamlined through volume production. As a startup, we acknowledge that adopting the conventional approach of waiting for traditional aerospace corporations to develop a mature assembly manufacturing process is a futile endeavor. ” Adopting a variation of the Tesla’s “Unboxing Concept” gives us a strategic and competitive advantages: (1) Reduction of production cost and factory space. (2)Minimizing Human direct interference in critical manufacturing and assembly processes allows for streamlined and consistent production processes and sterile environments. (3) Aerospace is no longer the defining Discipline of our Startup. On equal footing and from the beginning, our mission and organizational philosophy is a mindmeld of at least 5 interdisciplinary Disciplines (DARPO): Design, Aerospace, Robotics, Production, and Operation.
- Nofrill Bussiness Model: The business strategy of EDEN PRIME is bottom-up market growth and revolves around accessibility, lower cost – through point-to-point service, No-Frills design, high utilization, and a single spacecraft type – and customer satisfaction.
- Unit Cost: Over time, through the amalgamation of volume manufacturing, a modified unboxing manufacturing approach, and our business model, I am optimistic that the unit cost of EP will decrease to affordable levels. As a startup, we must have a cost, service, and quality competitive advantage over our well-established competitors for our business to break into and then dominate the Space Industry market.
- Safety and Compatibility: It is essential for our product to be safe and compatable to operate with various other assets in space. To service and support In-orbit assets (satellites, Spacecraft, space stations, etc.), we will, when applicable, respect, adopt, and operate under the international standards identified by Space agencies to allow for maximum interface and connection compatibility.
- Artificial Intelligence: Our aim for the operation of EP and its components will be autonomy, supplemented by Earth-Based Unmanned Spacecraft System (EBUSS) Operators when necessary. We are building an AI system that will enable our Spacecraft fleet to perform everyday in-orbit tasks autonomously and introduce Human intervention when necessary or on a task-to-task basis. Our AI Architecture will be based on building AI agents that would interact with complex and unstructured in-orbit environments.