What Orbital Matter does

Orbital Matter is a German-Polish space technology startup founded in 2022 and headquartered in Düsseldorf with operations in Warsaw, developing in-space manufacturing technology for constructing large structural elements directly in orbit. Its core platform centers on the PADS (Printer Assisted Deployment System), a spacecraft-integrated 3D printer that extrudes a proprietary material called SPACECRETE — a fluid that hardens in seconds under UV curing into rigid, joint-free space-grade structures — to build continuous hollow booms from 10 meters to over 100 meters in length. The architecture eliminates the hinges, latches, motors, and tensioning systems of conventional foldable deployables, and the company's claim is that "the larger the structure, the cheaper it gets," since the same manufacturing process, power budget, and operational footprint produce 10m to 100m+ booms unchanged.

The company targets three primary customer segments: satellite constellation operators needing large-area solar arrays, radiators, and antennas; emerging space data center operators requiring multi-megawatt power and thermal management systems; and operators of future multi-module space stations. ESA is also identified as a near-term institutional buyer for in-orbit demonstration contracts. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise sales, and revenue is intended to come from one-time license/service contracts for bespoke on-orbit construction missions. The company operates a staged, flight-driven development roadmap: Replicator Missions (2024-26) as technology demonstrators deploying progressively longer booms, PADS Missions (2026-28) as joint customer aperture missions, and Construction Missions (2030) for space data centers and stations deploying kilometer-scale solar arrays and radiators.

To date Orbital Matter has signed an MoU with Thales Alenia Space for industrial support and has raised approximately €2.4M+ across a 2022 Entrepreneurs First tranche, a €1M+ December 2023 pre-seed led by Sunfish Partners, an August 2025 seed led by Early Game Ventures, and an EIC Accelerator award. The company remains pre-revenue with 1-10 employees and no disclosed paying customers.

Name

Orbital Matter

Legal name

Orbital Matter

Website

https://orbital-matter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Orbital Matter is a German-Polish space technology startup that builds continuous rigid structural booms in orbit using a proprietary UV-curing 3D printing system (PADS) and space-grade material (SPACECRETE), serving satellite operators, future space data centers, and space station developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

In-Space Manufacturing and Space Infrastructure Construction

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

Keywords

• In-space manufacturing
• Space construction services
• Orbital 3D printing
• Space-grade materials
• Satellite infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Warsaw

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Space Infrastructure Construction Services: Revenue from constructing large space infrastructure including solar arrays, radiators, and antennas for satellite constellations, space data centers, and multi-module space stations. The company constructs structures too large to fold and launch conventionally, building them up in orbit rather than down on Earth.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Orbital Matter develops and provides in-space manufacturing services using its proprietary PADS (Printer Assisted Deployment System) — a spacecraft-integrated 3D printer that constructs continuous rigid structural booms (10m to 100m+) in orbit using SPACECRETE material and UV curing technology. These booms serve as the structural backbone for solar arrays, radiators, and antennas that are too large to fold into a rocket fairing, enabling satellite constellations, space data centers, and multi-module space stations.

Product overview

Orbital Matter is a space technology startup offering a unified in-space manufacturing platform built around its proprietary PADS (Printer Assisted Deployment System) and SPACECRETE material technology. The platform enables construction of continuous rigid structural booms (10m to 100m+) that serve as backbones for large-area space systems. The company operates a flight-driven development roadmap: Replicator Missions (2024-26) for technology demonstrators, PADS Missions (2026-28) for customer aperture deployments, and Construction Missions (2030) for space data centers and space stations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PADS: Printer Assisted Deployment System - A construction system that builds structural booms at scales from 10m to 100m+ without changing manufacturing process, power requirements, or operational complexity.
• SPACECRETE
• Replicator Missions

Products and services

• PADS (Printer Assisted Deployment System) A spacecraft-integrated 3D printing construction system that builds continuous rigid structural booms ranging from 10m to 100m+ in length directly in orbit. Powers solar arrays, radiators, and antennas for satellite constellations, space data centers, and multi-module space stations.
• SPACECRETE A proprietary space-grade construction material that flows and stores as fluid but hardens in seconds via UV curing into a rigid, joint-free structure. Analogous to terrestrial concrete, enabling on-site construction in orbit.
• PADS Continuous Structural Boom A hollow boom constructed on-orbit by the PADS printer, producing continuous rigid structures from 10m to 100m+ in length as a single monolithic element with no joints or hinges. Functions as the structural backbone for large-area solar arrays, radiators, and antennas.
• Replicator Missions A series of technology demonstrator missions (2024-2026), each consecutive mission deploying progressively longer PADS-printed booms in space to validate designs under real space conditions as part of a flight-driven development approach.
• PADS Missions Joint customer missions planned for 2026-2028, each consecutive mission deploying larger customer apertures (e.g., solar arrays, radiators, antennas) using the PADS system for satellite and space infrastructure customers.
• Construction Missions Construction missions for space data centers and multi-module space stations planned for 2030, deploying km-long solar arrays and radiators using PADS-built structural booms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Structures from 10m to 100m+ in length built without changing manufacturing process
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Thales Alenia SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2023Orbital Matter signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Thales Alenia Space for industrial support. Thales Alenia Space will provide industrial support as Orbital Matter develops its in-space manufacturing technology and aims to expand to in-orbit demonstrations and secure contracts with ESA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Redwire Corporation: Acquired Made In Space and operates in-space manufacturing and 3D printing capabilities for space structures. Most direct competitor to Orbital Matter's in-orbit construction technology, with overlapping customer base in NASA and commercial space.
• Made In Space (now part of Redwire): Pioneer of in-space additive manufacturing, including Archinaut project for in-orbit 3D printing of large structures. Most direct technical overlap with Orbital Matter's PADS approach.
• Tethers Unlimited: Developed SpiderFab in-space assembly and manufacturing concepts for constructing large space structures. Direct conceptual peer in additive space manufacturing, though now operating in adjacent capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Maxar Technologies: Major space structures and satellite manufacturer producing deployable solar arrays, antennas, and structural booms via traditional mechanical deployables. Established incumbent that Orbital Matter's monolithic approach aims to disrupt.
• Northrop Grumman: Produces large deployable space structures including solar arrays, radiators, and space station modules via mechanical deployable architectures. Incumbent with deep flight heritage that competes on the same downstream applications.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Builds large space structures and is a competitor to Thales Alenia Space. Relevant because Orbital Matter's Thales Alenia Space partnership positions it within the Airbus/TAS competitive supply chain dynamic.

Emerging players

• Astroscale: In-orbit servicing company developing satellite life-extension and debris removal capabilities. Adjacent in the in-space services category, with overlapping future customers in LEO infrastructure operators.
• ClearSpace: In-orbit servicing and debris removal startup backed by ESA. Shares Orbital Matter's European institutional backing and in-orbit operations focus, though addresses a different near-term use case.
• Voyager Space: Space infrastructure company building commercial space stations (Starlab) and in-space services. Direct overlap with Orbital Matter's space station construction target customer segment.
• Axiom Space: Building commercial space station modules attached to the ISS. Represents one of Orbital Matter's named target customers (multi-module space station operators) and validates the existence of the end market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_OrbitalMatter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orbital-matter
• Instagraminstagram.com/orbital_matter
• Facebookfacebook.com/OrbitalMatter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors5 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orbital Matter