Space Metal 3D Printing Technology Demonstrated on Chinese Test Spaceship
Summary: Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have successfully demonstrated metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology aboard the Qingzhou (Light Boat) test cargo spaceship in orbit at 600 km altitude. The team used a laser wire-fed metal melting deposition process, verifying the stability of remotely controlled payload activation and completing the predetermined experimental objectives. This milestone marks China's initial capability for in-space metal additive manufacturing system verification.
Image: Tencent News (Qingzhou test spaceship conceptual rendering)
Compared with ground-based manufacturing, space metal additive manufacturing must address complex mechanisms under microgravity conditions, while also solving a series of engineering challenges including lightweight payload design, vibration resistance for precision devices, and on-orbit operational safety — making it a cutting-edge direction in international space manufacturing.
During this technical demonstration, the research team focused on metal additive manufacturing mechanisms, processes, and equipment development under microgravity conditions. Key capabilities verified included: payload compatibility with the cargo spaceship platform, safety and reliability, ground telemetery and control, status monitoring, data and image transmission, fully automated execution, and metal melting deposition processes in the space environment.
The experiment demonstrates that China has initially acquired system-level verification capability for key space metal additive manufacturing technologies. In the future, these technologies are expected to serve major scenarios including in-orbit manufacturing and repair applications, space facility spare parts production, and deep space mission autonomous support.
The Qingzhou test spaceship, independently developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Microsatellite Innovation Institute, was successfully launched on March 30, 2026, aboard a CAS Space (Zhongke Yonghang) Lijian-2 (Arrow-2) rocket. The spacecraft weighs 4.2 tons, carries a 1-ton payload, adopts an integrated single-module design with high space utilization and multi-rocket compatibility. It can provide a long-term on-orbit test platform for sealed and vacuum-environment payloads, with a design lifespan of 3 years. The spaceship has completed its initial flight control tests and actively climbed to a 600 km orbit for long-term operations.