Orbital Matter printed a half-meter beam in open space and deployed a solar array
Jakub Stojek and Robert Ihnatisin's Replicator-2 printed a rigid beam in open space and deployed a solar array, testing their proposed workaround for rocket fairing limits.
By RuntimeWire Staff · Published
Primary source: TechCrunch
Why it matters
Large spacecraft are constrained by what can fold into a rocket fairing. If Orbital Matter can print rigid booms reliably in orbit, satellite builders could deploy larger solar arrays, antennas and radiators without adding more hinges and deployment mechanisms, a capability orbital data center proposals would need for power and heat management.
Jakub Stojek and Robert Ihnatisin founded Orbital Matter to build large structures where they will actually be used. On November 3rd, 2026, TechCrunch reported Orbital Matter's clearest test yet of that idea: its Replicator-2 satellite 3D printed a half-meter rigid beam in the vacuum of space and used a printed boom to deploy a solar array.…
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