Orbital Matter

Orbital Matter, founded in 2020 and based in Warsaw, Poland, is a space technology company focused on in-space manufacturing utilizing additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing. The company is developing technology to decouple space structure production from the limitations of Earth-based launch payload volumes. Orbital Matter aims to manufacture complex structures directly in orbit, offering a potentially faster, cheaper, and more agile alternative to traditional methods.

Their core technology centers around a universal 3D printing satellite designed for on-orbit construction. This approach addresses key challenges in space infrastructure development, including the weight penalties associated with launching pre-fabricated structures – which can be up to 70% heavier than required in space – and the operational complexity of assembling large structures from multiple rocket-delivered modules. By shipping raw materials instead of finished components, Orbital Matter anticipates reducing launch requirements by up to three times and improving material efficiency.

As of late 2023, Orbital Matter has demonstrated its terrestrial prototype in simulated space conditions and is targeting a 2025 in-orbit demonstration. Their roadmap includes a commercially available 3D printing module for satellites by 2026, followed by a fully capable 3D printing satellite for large-scale universal structures by 2029. The company is led by CEO Jakub Stojek, an experienced entrepreneur with a track record of rapid growth in manufacturing, and CTO Robert Ihnatisin, a 3D printing specialist with experience at 3D printing leader Formlabs.