Orbital Matter 3D-printed the first rigid beam in the vacuum of space

Orbital Matter, a German startup, has successfully 3D-printed a half-meter long rigid beam in space using a custom plastic material, marking the first time a free-flying spacecraft has performed such an action. This achievement is significant for future space construction and data centers, as it could enable the creation of larger structures in space that can generate more power and dissipate heat more efficiently. The company's satellite, Replicator 2, was launched on a SpaceX mission this summer and contains four 3D printers that can create rigid beams by extruding resin and curing it with ultraviolet light. The technology has the potential to make it easier to build and assemble large structures in space, such as solar arrays and telescope mirrors, which are currently deployed in a folded state and then unfolded in orbit. Orbital Matter is partnering with the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia to further develop this technology.