NASA released its 2026 ISAM State of Play report. This guide tracks real-world technology for building and servicing spacecraft in orbit.
NASA’s Langley Research Center recently reached a major milestone. Many companies now request access to the ISAM State of Play report.
Also, these businesses want competitive intelligence on space technology. Dale Arney manages the ISAM Technology Portfolio at the agency.
He confirms that NASA remains impartial. This neutral stance makes the report very valuable for the growing space industry.
Meanwhile, the new 2026 edition spans 368 pages. It covers 11 key areas like robotic movement and refueling.
The document acts as a roadmap for future space missions. It focuses on building and fixing spacecraft directly in orbit.
As a result, engineers no longer need to launch fully integrated systems. The industry has grown quickly since the project started.
However, the team maintains strict rules for inclusion. Hardware must physically exist as a prototype or a flight demonstration.
Therefore, they reject simple slideshows or basic ideas. The team only lists technology that has real-world development behind it.
Next, the report helps enable complex missions. These include building massive telescopes that do not fit inside standard rockets.
Furthermore, it supports mobile security assets. It also allows commercial systems to receive upgrades without needing a full replacement.
Finally, the document relies on collaboration with industry partners. Experts from various NASA centers contribute to the annual updates.
Now, the 2026 edition provides profiles on many developers. It lists their facilities and locations to help mission designers.
This resource offers a shared language for the entire space sector. Interested readers can download the full report at NASA.gov.