PADS (Printer Assisted Deployment System)
Printer that builds long booms in orbit for solar arrays
Orbital Matter
Polish-German startup that 3D prints rigid booms in orbit so satellites and stations can carry solar arrays, radiators and antennas too big to fold into a rocket. In 2026 it printed in open vacuum on its Replicator 2 mission. (1 product in the atlas)
Products, by altitude
Low Earth orbit · 160–2,000 km
Testing ![]()
Government awards
| Date | Agency | Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | European Innovation Council (EU) | EIC Pre-Accelerator | EUR 500K1 |
Milestones
- Aug 2026 Orbital Matter reported that one of four printers on Replicator 2 extruded and UV-cured resin into solid structure outside any pressurized cabin, which it calls the first 3D print in open space. Company statement2
- Jul 2026 The European Innovation Council Pre-Accelerator awarded Orbital Matter EUR 500,000 to develop solar arrays built in orbit for megawatt-class satellites. Company statement3
- Jul 2026 Orbital Matter's Replicator 2 mission launched, an early step toward deploying a solar array on a boom printed in orbit. Company statement2
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction