Constructs large space structures such as booms, solar modules and radiators directly in orbit using 3D printing.

Orbital Matter

Designed in Germany · Made in Poland · Built in OrbitNew on Amplifa

2024–26Start of Replicator missions

10–100 m+Boom length in orbit

2026–28PADS missions with customer apertures

2030Planned construction missions

About Orbital Matter

Orbital Matter is a space company that manufactures structural components not on Earth, but directly in orbit. Using the in-house developed PADS process (Printer Assisted Deployment System), continuous, jointless structural booms from 10 m to over 100 m in length are printed in space. The material used is SPACECRETE, a UV-curing material that is processed as a liquid and cures within seconds into a rigid, seamless space structure. Solar modules, radiators and antenna structures are mounted on these booms that would be too large for conventional rocket fairings and would otherwise require complex mechanical deployment systems. Development follows a flight-driven approach: mission demonstrators launched early and frequently validate the systems under real space conditions. The roadmap extends from the Replicator missions (2024–26) via the PADS missions (2026–28) to the construction of Space Data Centers and space stations with kilometer-long solar modules and radiators from 2030 onwards. Designed in Germany, manufactured in Poland, built in orbit.

Site: Designed in Germany
Processes: 3D printing (UV curing, space native manufacturing process), P.A.D.S. (Printer Assisted Deployment System) – production of continuous structural booms on-orbit, Orbital 3D printing manufacturing of structural booms (PADS – Printer Assisted Deployment System), Production of continuous, jointless structural booms (10 m to 100 m+) in orbit, Construction of solar modules, radiators and antenna structures in space, Spacecrete material (UV-curing material)
Materials: SPACECRETE, Concrete (referenced as a model for SPACECRETE)
Industries: Space, Satellite constellations, Space Data Centers, Space stations

01
3D printing in orbit (UV curing)
02
Curing into a monolithic structure
03
Integration of solar modules, radiators, antennas
04
In-orbit validation

SPACECRETE Material

SPACECRETE

UV-curing material that is processed as a fluid and cures within seconds into a rigid, jointless structure.

Sites

Orbit

On-orbit manufacturing

Materials: SPACECRETE

PADS 3D printer (on-orbit printing system)

Components

**PADS structural boom with helix antenna**3D printing in orbit · Space

**Radiators**PADS structure · Space stations

**Structural truss**3D printing in orbit · Satellite constellations

**Replicator 2 satellite after vibration test**Mission demonstrator · Space

Inside the production

Industries

SpaceSatellite constellationsSpace Data CentersSpace stations

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
3D printing (UV curing, space native manufacturing process)Additive	–	100 m+	–	–	SPACECRETE
P.A.D.S. (Printer Assisted Deployment System) – production of continuous structural booms on-orbitAdditive	–	100 m+	10 m	–	SPACECRETE

1 Anlagen & Maschinen

Machine	Manufacturer / model	Quantity	Working area	Year built	Site
PADS 3D printer (on-orbit printing system)	Orbital Matter PADS	–	Booms from 10 m to 100 m+ in length	–	Orbit

Additional services

Orbital 3D printing manufacturing of structural booms (PADS – Printer Assisted Deployment System)Production of continuous, jointless structural booms (10 m to 100 m+) in orbitConstruction of solar modules, radiators and antenna structures in spaceSpacecrete material (UV-curing material)

Mission Roadmap

2024–26
Replicator missions: technology demonstrators with progressively longer booms in orbit
2026–28
PADS missions: joint missions with larger customer apertures
2030
Construction missions: building Space Data Centers and space stations with km-long solar modules and radiators