German startup Orbital Matter successfully 3D-printed the first rigid structural beam in the vacuum of space using UV-cured resin extrusion from its Replicator 2 satellite, launched on a SpaceX rideshare mission. The half-meter beam demonstrates a key step toward constructing large in-orbit structures, addressing the challenge of fitting big spacecraft into limited rocket fairings while enabling modular satellite and data-center design.
Background
Space-based manufacturing and in-orbit assembly have been active research areas for years, with prior experiments focused on materials science and fluid dynamics. Building structurally sound components in microgravity and vacuum remains an unsolved engineering challenge, making this a notable milestone for the growing commercial space industry.
- Source
- TechCrunch
- Published
- Nov 4, 2026 at 04:57 AM
- Score
- 8.0 / 10