Photocentric’s CosmicMaker project moves forward.
The UK company has long been producing both 3D printer resins and resin 3D printers, including some rather large systems, and the incredible JENI manufacturing system.
Where is this change coming from? It seems that Photocentric has been working since 2023 with the Business in Space Growth Network’s In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator (IMA). Partnered with Deployables Cubed, they were to develop “transformative solutions” for the space manufacturing industry of the future.
After a year of development, the group produced “CosmicMaker”, a prototype of a “fully autonomous manufacturing platform for space applications”. The system was a resin-based affair that somehow was able to print in any orientation — mandatory for weightless environments. In addition, it was lightweight and consumed very little energy, also important for space applications.
They’ve since been able to demonstrate that their technology does indeed work in simulated microgravity, although they have not yet been to space on an actual mission. That seems to be the next major step for CosmicMaker.
They have a rather ambitious roadmap for this technology, which they believe could capture a notable chunk of the forecasted US$17B market for space additive manufacturing applications. Here’s the roadmap:
- 2023-2024 CosmicMaker I: ESA/BSGN-funded prototype successfully printed polymers & ceramics under simulated microgravity.
- 2025-2026 CosmicMaker II: Flight-ready design, multi-material system, autonomous control, ready for autonomous operation on parabolic flight in April 26.
- 2027 CosmicMaker III: Autonomous manufacture of ceramics and plastics designed for ISS.
- 2030 CosmicMaker IV: Fully autonomous, metal, ceramic, composite and plastic manufacture capable of sustainable plastic and material creation.
Some reports have Photocentric officially spinning out CosmicMaker as a separate operation, but I can find no evidence for this aside from a company registration.
Nevertheless, their work on this highly unusual resin 3D printing system could pay off hugely in the long term. Many startups and existing companies have realized there are enormous possibilities in space applications coming up in the next few years, largely driven by the introduction of very low-cost space access. Companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX have used 3D print technology to create new rockets that are far lower cost to use, with even more cost reductions to come.
All of that means there will be vast industries in space in years to come, and it seems that Photocentric, oops, CosmicMaker, will be there to help make it happen.
