In-Space Manufacturing Startup Orbital Matter Announces 2028 Mission

The in-space manufacturing startup Orbital Matter has announced a new partnership with the satellite company EnduroSat for a mission scheduled for 2028. This upcoming project aims to deploy a five-kilowatt solar array using advanced manufacturing techniques performed directly in orbit. By moving away from traditional methods that require folding bulky arrays to fit inside launch vehicles, the companies hope to streamline how space infrastructure is built. The initiative focuses on 3D printing support structures in space to facilitate the deployment of much larger solar systems than current rockets can easily carry. CEO Jakub Stojek explained that current spacecraft designs are often limited by the constraints of the launch process rather than the needs of orbital operations. This new approach seeks to shift that focus by enabling the construction of larger, more efficient hardware once the equipment reaches space. The announcement follows the results of a second demonstration mission conducted by Orbital Matter earlier this year. That mission, known as Replicator 2, launched in July on a SpaceX rideshare flight and utilized an EnduroSat bus to test printing capabilities. Although the initial attempt to create a fully viable structure in August encountered technical difficulties, the team successfully updated the firmware after terrestrial testing. This allowed the system to print a second, fully-bonded structure that measured 32.5 centimeters in length. The successful print eventually supported the partial deployment of a solar array, providing a proof of concept for the technology. Orbital Matter intends to use the data from these early flights to scale up its capabilities significantly in the coming years. The company aims to support solar arrays that can generate over 100 kilowatts of power at a lower cost than current market standards. While the immediate focus remains on solar-array booms, the long-term vision includes using this 3D printing technology to build other large structures. This could eventually include the construction of essential infrastructure on the Moon or Mars. By proving that these systems can function reliably in the harsh environment of space, the company hopes to convince future customers of the viability of in-orbit manufacturing.