Orbital Matter 3D prints rigid beam with Replicator-2 in space

German startup Orbital Matter announced that its small satellite, Replicator-2, successfully 3D printed a half-meter long rigid beam in the vacuum of space. The mission aims to test in-space manufacturing technology that could eventually help construct large solar arrays and structures for future spacecraft. Although one of the printers experienced a failure due to an anomaly, the successful creation of the boom demonstrated a proof of concept for orbital manufacturing. Open article →