Dcubed to Launch First In-Orbit Solar Array Manufacturing by 2027

As commercial spaceflight accelerates toward unprecedented growth, the demand for reliable, scalable power solutions in orbit is skyrocketing. Meeting this challenge head-on, Munich-based startup Dcubed is pioneering a breakthrough approach: manufacturing solar arrays directly in space. Their innovative ARAQYS system, set for deployment by 2027, promises to transform how satellites and spacecraft are powered. Traditionally, solar panels for space missions are built on Earth and launched aboard rockets, a process limited by payload size, weight, and launch costs. Dcubed’s ARAQYS (Automated Robotic Assembly of Quasi-Yield Solar Arrays) system aims to bypass these constraints by assembling large, efficient solar arrays in orbit. This not only reduces launch mass and costs but also enables the creation of much larger power-generating structures than previously possible. The ARAQYS platform leverages advanced robotics and modular design, allowing it to autonomously construct solar arrays tailored to the specific energy needs of satellites, space stations, and future lunar or Martian outposts. By manufacturing arrays in space, Dcubed can support the rapidly expanding commercial space sector, which includes satellite constellations, research platforms, and deep-space missions. With its first in-orbit demonstration scheduled for 2027, Dcubed’s technology could mark a turning point in space infrastructure, paving the way for more ambitious missions and sustainable space operations. As the space industry continues to boom, in-orbit manufacturing of solar arrays may soon become the new standard for powering humanity’s ventures beyond Earth. Read the source »