| Abstract Scope |
Microgravity offers strong advantages for materials discovery, research, and innovation. However, its scientific and commercial potential remains underutilized due to legacy constraints in platform access, limited hardware diversity, and experiment repeatability. Most onboard systems on the ISS were not designed for autonomous, repeatable, or scalable experimentation. As space access expands through commercial stations and free-flyer platforms, the next generation of onboard materials processing must evolve. This abstract presents a forward-looking analysis of facility design tailored for free-flyer deployment. It argues that free-flyers must be understood not just as transport mechanisms, but as infrastructure layers requiring embedded, high-capability experimentation systems. It highlights key functional features and materials R&D capabilities suited to these purpose-built facilities.By comparing current limitations with emerging architectures, the paper outlines a framework for system design and recommends aligning hardware development with platform needs through joint engineering cycles to accelerate readiness, broaden application scope, and attract diverse commercial users. |