ESA Achieves World First with 3D Printing in Open Space

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a significant milestone in in-orbit manufacturing, with Polish company Orbital Matter successfully 3D printing a 30-cm boom onboard its Replicator 2 satellite. This marks the first time a structure has been manufactured in the extreme conditions of open space, outside of controlled environments like the ISS. The printed boom was used to deploy a stowed solar array, confirming the success of the test. This achievement demonstrates a crucial step towards future autonomous space missions and in-space construction capabilities.