ESA Achieves World-First 3D Printing of a Structure in Open Space

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced a world-first achievement in in-space manufacturing, as Polish company Orbital Matter successfully 3D-printed a 30-cm boom onboard its Replicator 2 satellite in the harsh conditions of open space. This demonstration, which took just 30 minutes, involved the boom extending to push out and unfold a stowed solar array, confirming the success of the printing test. Previous in-space additive manufacturing efforts have occurred under controlled conditions, making this a significant step towards autonomous in-orbit construction and future space missions.