A sequence is postulated, through which today's mission-dominated space enterprise may begin the transition into a self-sustaining space-based economy dominated by extraterrestrial resources and services. A set of 15 enterprises is considered, that define the basis for the expansion to another 15 larger enterprises. Examples of the first four enterprises are given. Interactions between these enterprises are projected to enable an order of magnitude reduction in the cost of access to geosynchronous orbit.

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Tailored electromagnetic force fields offer the possibility of forming structures ranging in size from micrometers to kilometers from loose particles. In prior work, the analogy between primary radiation forces in acoustics and electromagnetics was used to develop and validate a scaling relationship in the Rayleigh regime. This scaling indicated that a 100m x 100m radio-frequency solar-powered resonator could form radiation-shielded structural modules large enough for human habitation. Force predictions on a single particle in a microwave field have been experimentally validated. In this paper, secondary forces due to particle interaction are linked to first principles, and a dipole model is used to facilitate solutions. Secondary forces are shown to determine the shape of structures formed. The dipole model serves to illustrate similarities and differences between acoustic and electromagnetic fields. The nature of the dipole interaction shows that walls form naturally in acoustic fields. In electromagnetic fields, chains can be formed, with walls or other structures formed from these chains. Finite element simulations are used to derive interesting field patterns using given combinations of low-order modes. A 2-dimensional time-stepping calculation shows chains forming in given fields, while a 3-dimensional calculation shows small chains forming into more complex structures. Thus the force-field tailoring problem is reduced to one represented by well-known equations and solution techniques for both primary and secondary forces.

The ability to build massive objects in space using mass from extraterrestrial sources is key to the human exploration and development of Space. We report on progress towards space-based construction, using the concept of Tailored Force Fields (TFF). The concept and validation status are summarized for background. The paper explores options in implementing the architecture, in order to study how best to utilize the concept to advance the space program. The direct mission architecture (DMA) originally developed for concept exploration, envisaged sending a robotic Rockbreaker craft to extract raw material from a Near-Earth object, followed by the TFF construction system, all powered by solar sails. An alternative Economic Evolution Architecture (EEA) is considered, but fails due to the requirement for earth-launched mass. These scenarios are adapted into an Extraterrestrial Mass for Cislunar Economy Architecture (EMCEA) where the material extracted from an NEO is returned to the earth-moon system, where a closed microwave resonator is used to construct components of space stations, to be assembled using telepresence. The DMA is deferred until most of its challenges are addressed through experience with the EMCEA. Nomenclature G