Imagine trying to fit a giant umbrella into a tiny suitcase; you have to fold it up tight, which often breaks the ribs. Instead of folding it, this technology prints the umbrella's frame directly in space after the suitcase has landed. This allows satellites to have massive power-generating wings without worrying about them fitting inside a rocket.
Satellites are limited by the size of the rocket they launch in, forcing solar arrays to be folded and complex. This limits power capacity and creates a dependence on non-European supply chains.
A photopolymer-based additive manufacturing system for printing solar arrays directly in orbit. This includes flight-qualified hardware capable of producing multi-kilowatt class arrays.
If you are a constellation operator dealing with high power demands for data transmission — this project developed in-space manufacturing for solar arrays that provides power at a fraction of the cost of conventional arrays.
If you are a servicing company dealing with the need to upgrade aging satellite power systems — this project developed photopolymer-based additive manufacturing that enables scalable power generation beyond current state-of-the-art solutions.
If you are a SmallSat builder dealing with launch vehicle volumetric restrictions — this project developed a way to decouple solar array size from rocket constraints, enabling multi-kilowatt class power.
The technology aims to provide high power demands at a fraction of the cost of conventional solar arrays by removing the need for complex deployment mechanisms.
The project is moving toward flight-qualified, scalable solar array products in the multi-kilowatt class.
The project has reinforced its intellectual property position by filing three additional patent applications covering key aspects of the ISM technology.
It reduces dependence on critical non-EU suppliers by creating a new European industrial capability in space manufacturing.
Based on available project data, the project period runs from 2024-12-01 to 2026-11-30, focusing on progressive in-orbit demonstration missions.
The project is led by a single German SME, DCUBED GMBH, which maintains 100% industry ratio. This lean structure suggests a highly focused commercial drive, evidenced by a 43% increase in headcount and aggressive IP filing to capture a share of the projected $1879B space market.
Contact DCUBED GMBH regarding photopolymer extrusion for space applications.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for in-space manufacturing.
