Abstract
Ever since its operation in the 2000s, the International Space Station (ISS) has provided mankind with an important vantage point in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), not only allowing a peak at the extraordinary view of the Earth below but also allowing for the study of orbital effects. As humanity continues to venture deeper into space, it is paramount to explore the possibility of unique space-based manufacturing as part of the next industrial revolution. While several efforts have increased the accessibility to space, there remain several hurdles, as high cost associated with extraterrestrial activities and the scarcity of resources on orbit, to the actualization of a Factory in Space (FIS). To achieve the future potential of commercial and scientific research such as manufacturing activities in LEO, it is paramount to develop new space systems with additional launch capacity at a fraction of the cost available today. Furthermore, several operational, business, and legal challenges must be tackled to make on-orbital activities such as manufacturing viable at scale for commercial players. In this paper, the constraints (grouped in technical, economic, and regulatory) hindering the progress of FIS in LEO are discussed, also providing some possible countermeasures.