Tailored Force Fields for Space-Based Construction

In Space, minor forces exerted over long periods can produce major results. Force fields of various kinds can be used to build large structures, superseding the human-intensive construction techniques of today. In this paper we consider how several techniques now used in other fields can be generalized and applied to Space-based construction. Radiation pressure exerted by coherent beams on scattering objects is today used in microscale positioning. Standing- wave fields offer important advantages - the radiation force in a standing wave field can be 3 orders of magnitude greater than that of the source. The strong analogy between optical/electromagnetic and acoustic radiation is used to extend a microgravity flight result from acoustic standing wave fields to electromagnetic fields. - walls of complex shape can be formed automatically. The interim architecture to bootstrap an economy which will permit large-scale construction projects is briefly considered.