Orbital Matter satellite prints first rigid beam in space vacuum
German startup Orbital Matter successfully 3D printed a half-meter long rigid beam inside the vacuum of space aboard its Replicator-2 satellite.
Launch and printer setup
The company launched four 3D printers on a SpaceX rideshare mission earlier this summer. Each printer creates rigid cylindrical beams by extruding resin coils that ultraviolet light cures into solid plastic.
Partnership and future goals
Orbital Matter partners with the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia to build large structures in orbit. Executives state this technology helps solve power and heat challenges for future orbital data centers.
Material and process details
The printed beam measures half a meter in length and uses a custom plastic material similar to cement. This method allows spacecraft to construct equipment at whatever size the mission demands without folding large arrays.
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