China Achieves First In-Orbit Metal 3D Printing, Advancing Space Manufacturing Capabilities

Historic In-Orbit Manufacturing Achievement

China has successfully completed its first in-orbit metal 3D printing experiment, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation's space manufacturing capabilities. The breakthrough was announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), following the mission's successful execution. This achievement transitions China's space-based metal additive manufacturing technology from 'ground-based research' to 'in-space engineering verification', placing the country among the leaders in this critical field.

Experiment Details and Technology

The pioneering experiment was carried out using a retrievable scientific payload developed by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This payload was launched aboard the Lihong-1 Y1 suborbital vehicle, a commercial recoverable spacecraft developed by CAS Space, an aerospace enterprise with a focus on space tourism. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on January 12, 2026. After crossing the Karman line and reaching an altitude of approximately 120 kilometers, the payload autonomously fabricated metal components within a microgravity environment. The microgravity conditions were maintained for over 300 seconds, allowing for the successful demonstration of space-based laser wire-fed metal additive manufacturing.

Significance for Future Space Endeavors

The successful experiment provides invaluable data on material behavior, solidification, and structural precision under microgravity conditions. This technology is considered a key enabler for future space missions, offering the potential for:

• On-orbit rapid manufacturing of spacecraft components
• Autonomous repair of existing space infrastructure
• Reduced reliance on ground supply for long-duration missions
• Enhanced mission resilience and sustainability for deep-space exploration and long-term space station operations

The payload capsule made a safe parachute-assisted landing and was subsequently recovered, allowing scientists to analyze the printed metal components and collected data. The Lihong-1 Y1 vehicle, noted for its low launch cost and reusability, underscores the commercial potential and growing capabilities within China's space sector.