The Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator (IMA), led by Satellite Applications Catapult, welcomes two distinguished innovators, Photocentric Limited and Deployables Cubed GmbH (DCUBED), into the top tier of the Accelerator.
Both companies will apply their materials and manufacturing expertise towards advancing transformative solutions for the development and autonomy of new on-orbit infrastructures.
The European Space Agency: BSGN Program facilitates pathways for active engagement and involvement of private industries to adapt their capabilities to drive innovation toward commercialization of the LEO economy. The initiative builds on ESA’s objectives to accelerate the development of new on-orbit infrastructures and services.
Through an intensive 12 month program, the Accelerator will collaborate with both companies using its multidisciplinary expertise and enabling ecosystem, helping to de-risk technology development. The IMA paves the way for in-orbit demonstration and commercialization of new innovations.
Established in February 2022, the In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator (formerly called Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator) is a Europe-wide, multidisciplinary, acceleration program. This Accelerator generates and co-invests in novel engineering solutions for on-orbit manufacturing and infrastructure development, as well as advanced materials innovations that leverage microgravity R&D platforms. The Accelerator is an initiative sponsored by the European Space Agency’s BSGN Industry Accelerator program and funded by the ESA.
“Photocentric and DCUBED mark a significant step forward in the Accelerator’s mission to advance In-orbit manufacturing capabilities and reinforce the collective strength of the European space industry. In addition to assisting technology development and commercialization, we will work to strategically position innovators in the fast-evolving supply chain of this emerging segment filled with challenges and great opportunities.” — Hamid Soorghali, Program Lead for In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator, Satellite Applications Catapult
Photocentric will embark on the development of CosmicMaker, a patented, LCD-based, 3D printer designed for upcoming space stations and orbital terminals. Capable of additively manufacturing intricate near-net shape functional parts from Silicon Carbide, it represents a major advancement over existing in-space manufacturing solutions.
“By leveraging Silicon Carbide, we are enabling the on-demand production of a significantly broader range of vital space-grade tools, parts and components onboard space stations. CosmicMaker is designed to address the need for substantially greater resource effectiveness, operational efficiency and autonomy of in-orbit infrastructures. Our collaboration with the European Space Agency IMA allows us to navigate new opportunities the space sector offers for transferring our precision manufacturing know-how and adapting our innovations to an exciting new range of in-orbit applications.” — Paul Holt, Photocentric Group, CEO
DCUBED will concentrate on maturing the technology readiness level of its robotic extrusion system aimed at aiding the manufacture of large structures in the vacuum of space.
“Our collaboration with the IMA is perfectly timed as we ramp up focus and resources towards in-space manufacturing. Our solution aims to enable expansive infrastructure projects in space through the manufacture of large modular structures in-orbit, whilst avoiding volume restrictions imposed by launch. A particular focus is on applications where greater performance is enabled by size, such as larger solar arrays for in-orbit power generation. DCUBED’s vision is to do big things in space. In space manufacturing is the disruptive technology that is needed to make this vision a reality.” — Thomas Sin, CEO and Founder, DCUBED (Deployables Cubed GmbH)
“ESA is committed to participating in the development of a market-driven economy in low Earth orbit. The BSGN accelerators, including the In Space Manufacturing Accelerator, are deployed to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry, stimulate research and development, and integrate innovative solutions into ESA space exploration missions.” — Bernhard Hufenbach, Lead, Commercialization and Innovation Team, ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration Department