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Orbital Matter says satellite 3D-printed a half-meter beam in orbit
TechCrunch reported that German startup Orbital Matter's Replicator-2 satellite printed a rigid plastic boom in vacuum, which executives called a first for a free-flying spacecraft.
- New headline Was: “Orbital Matter 3D printed the first rigid beam in the vacuum of space”
- Our desk filed its story
German startup Orbital Matter said a satellite it built 3D-printed a half-meter rigid beam from a custom plastic in orbit, TechCrunch reported Tuesday, describing the result as a step toward assembling large structures in space1.
The printer flew on the company's Replicator-2 spacecraft1. Executives called the print a first for a free-flying satellite in orbit1. CEO and co-founder Jakub Stojek said, "Replicator 2 is the first proof that we can simply build the array in space, at whatever size the mission demands"1.
TechCrunch said Orbital Matter is partnering with the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia, which collaborated on Replicator-21. Chief technology officer Robert Ihnatisin told the outlet the team put many printers on one satellite to learn in orbit and change software rather than spend years testing every case on the ground1.
The boom's length is limited by the resin carried on the satellite, the report said1. Company engineers believe 100-meter booms are feasible1. TechCrunch compared that figure with SpaceX Starlink V2 solar arrays of about 20 meters1.
Orbital Matter was co-founded in 2022 by Ihnatisin, formerly of Formlabs, and Stojek, and raised a $3 million seed round, according to TechCrunch1. A follow-on demonstration is scheduled for 2028 on a larger satellite, aiming to deploy a solar array that can generate 5 kilowatts, described as a step toward 100-plus kilowatts per wing by 20301.
The company is also talking with satellite builders about using its printer-assisted deployment system, or PADS, to extend solar panels, antennas or other parts, TechCrunch reported1. Independent confirmation of the on-orbit print and of those power targets was not in the article1.
