Dcubed GmbH, a leader in deployable space structures and In-Space Manufacturing (ISM), recently announced its move into space-based energy systems.
The Germany-based company has been developing the ARAQYS system for the direct in-orbit manufacturing of solar arrays.
To demonstrate this technology, the firm is working on the ARAQYS-D3 mission set for a Q1 2027 launch on a SpaceX Rideshare mission organized by Maverick Space Systems.
smartsass99 on
If this works, space based manufacturing could move fast.
babganoush on
Such positive news. I really wish it works for them and the others that follow.
radome9 on
But why?
> solar panels and their supporting structures are heavy and must be carefully stowed for launch.
> These constraints introduce further design challenges, requiring complex, weighty mechanisms for in-orbit deployment.
I very much doubt a 3D printer capable of printing solar panels will be lighter than, you know, a strut.
Also, the video claims “solar power in space could power the EU by 2050”. If that happens I’ll eat my shoe.
4 Comments
Dcubed GmbH, a leader in deployable space structures and In-Space Manufacturing (ISM), recently announced its move into space-based energy systems.
The Germany-based company has been developing the ARAQYS system for the direct in-orbit manufacturing of solar arrays.
To demonstrate this technology, the firm is working on the ARAQYS-D3 mission set for a Q1 2027 launch on a SpaceX Rideshare mission organized by Maverick Space Systems.
If this works, space based manufacturing could move fast.
Such positive news. I really wish it works for them and the others that follow.
But why?
> solar panels and their supporting structures are heavy and must be carefully stowed for launch.
> These constraints introduce further design challenges, requiring complex, weighty mechanisms for in-orbit deployment.
I very much doubt a 3D printer capable of printing solar panels will be lighter than, you know, a strut.
Also, the video claims “solar power in space could power the EU by 2050”. If that happens I’ll eat my shoe.