ESA-backed startup scales up space tech: 3D-printed, metal-coated satellite parts for mega-constellations

Horizon Microtechnologies, a German additive manufacturing company, has secured €500,000 and backing from the European Space Agency's Phi-Lab Austria to industrialize its unique micro-3D printing process. Their technology combines precision polymer printing with a thin, conformal metal coating, creating lightweight satellite components like shielding housings. The goal is to shift from making one-off prototypes to manufacturing tens of thousands of parts, meeting the massive demand from upcoming mega-satellite constellations.

The 'IP-MASS' project aims to prove this process can deliver the repeatability, speed, and cost needed for constellation-scale production. By replacing solid aluminum parts with metallized polymer, the technology can reduce component weight by 40%, a critical factor for launch economics. Beyond just shielding, Horizon sees potential for other spacecraft and terrestrial applications where lightweight, complex geometries with functional metal surfaces offer an advantage. The takeaway: this ESA-backed push signals a major step towards making advanced, lightweight space hardware a scalable, off-the-shelf industrial product.