The Romanian Venture Capital Fund Early Game Ventures has announced a seed with 1 million euros in Orbital Matter, a promising space-tech startup that specializes in advanced construction technology for use in space. With the new investment, the startup is to achieve TRL 8, the certification “flight qualified” during the next product introduction to space.
Orbital matter has developed and patented an innovative method that combines liquid materials with extrusion-based 3D printing to build objects in the orbit. This technology reduces the starting weight by up to 70% and reduces the start volume by a factor of ten.
Their initial start of space has already proven the effectiveness of the technology and, according to the press release, has achieved a NASA technology level (TRL) of 5. The investment marks a significant milestone when the orbital matter changes from modern research in 3D printing for space to the commercial willingness and prepares for the fulfillment of your first orders.
The pioneering work of the startup takes place at a time when the space technology from niche newcomers quickly developed into a critical component of the global economy. Innovations such as reduced starting costs, miniaturized technologies and progress of the private sector, the space industry primarily transform rockets and satellites into a platform for various new companies, including strawening, satellite internet, geospatial intelligence and now to a spatial-based production.
According to the Glenn Research Center of NASA, the current state -of -the -art technology delivers only about 1% of the total mass of a rocket, which leads to inefficient starts, especially for larger or more complex structures. Volume restrictions and the need to withstand the start acceleration, the spaem production continues to complain. Traditional production methods have to struggle in the microgravitation environment of space, but the innovative technology of Orbital Matter promises to cope with these challenges in the coming years.
Florin Vi representa, partner at Early Game Ventures, explained the strategic importance of the investment: “Our investment in Orbital matter is more than a bet on a company. It is a bet on the future of orbital construction and space infrastructure.
Orbital Matter is considered one of the few European innovators for real space technology and was one of the only two startups that were emphasized in the latest European technology status report. The company is an essential part of the most important plans of the ESA to promote space technology in Europe and continue to benefit from contracts with European space agencies.
irina.marica@romomia-insider.com
(Photo source: Early game company)