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Spacecraft 3D Prints Beams in Orbit
4 Nov
Summary
- Orbital Matter's satellite 3D printed a half-meter beam in free space.
- This technology aims to solve power and heat challenges for future spacecraft.
- Future missions could enable 100-meter booms, far exceeding current designs.
A German startup, Orbital Matter, has successfully 3D printed a half-meter long beam in orbit using a custom plastic material. This marks a significant advancement for in-space construction, demonstrating the capability of a free-flying spacecraft to build structures. The Replicator-2 satellite, launched earlier this year, carried four 3D printers that extrude and cure resin to form rigid beams.
This technology is crucial for future spacecraft, particularly those intended to function as orbital data centers, which will require enhanced power generation and heat radiation. By enabling in-orbit construction, these challenges can be more effectively managed, while also allowing for larger components that can fit within rocket fairings. The company's CEO, Jakub Stojek, highlighted this as proof of building arrays in space to any required size.
While current large space structures are typically folded and deployed, Orbital Matter's approach offers an alternative. The company aims to eventually produce 100-meter booms, dwarfing the 20-meter arrays on SpaceX's Starlink V2 satellites. Orbital Matter is collaborating with the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia on this technology.
A subsequent demonstration mission is planned for 2028, targeting a larger printer and a solar array capable of generating 5 kW, with future goals of 100+ kW per wing by 2030. The company is also working with satellite builders to integrate its Printer-Assisted Deployment System into spacecraft for extended solar panels and antennas.
