Funding for the world's first 3D printing technology in space for Munich University of Applied Sciences and DCUBED

In-Space Manufacturing to improve satellite efficiency and advance space exploration The HM Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences and SCE Alumni Team and NewSpace company DCUBED have set themselves the ambitious goal of being the first in the world to develop 3D printing directly in space to market maturity.

Manufacturing in space

As part of the two-year MASS-PEX project, which was launched in January 2024, the partners will drive forward the practical research and further development of technologies for production in space, known as in-space manufacturing (ISM). The plan is to develop and test a complete system for manufacturing structures from photopolymers using 3D printing in space. For the first time, these structures will also be reinforced with fibers, which will significantly increase their strength and rigidity. These can be used for large antennas or as support structures for satellite solar panels, among other things. Until now, these have been produced on earth and transported into space by rocket - a very error-prone and expensive procedure.

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Find out more about this ambitious project on the HM press portal.