In 2026, China’s space metal 3D printing will achieve a milestone breakthrough, placing its dual technology approach among the world’s leading positions.
2026-01-29
At the start of 2026, China’s space manufacturing sector has delivered exciting news: According to 3D Printing Technology Reference, on January 12, the first flight test of the Keyi Aerospace Li Hong No. 1 spacecraft was successfully completed at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The return capsule, equipped with a parachute recovery system, landed and was safely recovered. The key breakthrough of this maiden flight was the successful deployment of a microgravity laser additive manufacturing returnable scientific experiment payload independently developed by the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. This marked the first-ever successful verification of laser wire-based metal 3D printing technology under microgravity conditions in space—also representing China’s first-ever returnable scientific experiment on space metal additive manufacturing conducted using a rocket platform, thus opening a brand-new chapter in the development of space metal 3D printing in China.
One, Core Breakthrough: Li Hong No. 1 Completes Engineering Validation of Space Laser Wire-Feeding 3D Printing
The microgravity laser additive manufacturing returnable scientific experiment payload (LAM-MG-R1) carried by Li Hong No. 1 has as its core objective to verify the feasibility of laser wire-fed metal additive manufacturing technology in the microgravity environment of space, obtain critical process parameters and performance data, and provide support for subsequent iterations of in-orbit manufacturing technologies. Behind this mission lie numerous technological breakthroughs.
1. Core details and results of the experiment
The Lihong-1 No. 1 spacecraft ascended to an altitude of approximately 120 kilometers, successfully crossed the Kármán line and entered space, where it conducted laser wire-fed metal 3D printing experiments under microgravity conditions. Unlike the gravity environment on Earth, microgravity in space can cause unstable flow of molten metal pools and make material transport particularly challenging, posing significant difficulties for achieving high forming accuracy. To address these challenges, the research team has broken through a series of key technologies—including stable material transport and shaping under microgravity conditions, closed-loop control throughout the entire process, and highly reliable coordination between payload and rocket—ensuring the smooth progress of the experiment.
The core achievement of this experiment lies in the successful acquisition of key process parameters for space-based laser wire-fed metal additive manufacturing—including dynamic characteristics of the melt pool, material transport, solidification behavior, and other factors—as well as scientific experimental data on the geometric features and performance parameters of the fabricated parts. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation explicitly stated that this mission has laid a solid foundation for developing the fundamental theories and critical technologies underlying space-based metal additive manufacturing, and has provided invaluable experience for advancing technologies such as long-term in-orbit metal additive manufacturing and on-site repair in the space environment. This will strongly propel the leapfrog development of China’s space manufacturing technology.
2. Technical Value: Filling the gap in engineering validation and bridging to on-orbit applications.
Previously, China’s research on 3D printing of space metals has largely focused on ground-based simulations of microgravity environments, lacking validation data from actual space operating conditions. The success of this suborbital experiment represents a crucial leap—from “ground-based simulation” to “in-space measurement,” filling a significant engineering-validation gap in China’s field of large-scale additive manufacturing of refractory metals in space. Compared with traditional space manufacturing methods, which require pre-loading entire sets of components, laser wire-fed 3D printing enables the on-demand fabrication and in-situ repair of tools and equipment parts directly in space, dramatically reducing the number of spare parts that spacecraft must carry and lowering launch costs—making it particularly well-suited for long-term space missions such as deep-space exploration.
II. Dual Layout: Another Core Approach for China’s Space Metal 3D Printing—Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication Technology
China’s breakthrough in the field of space metal 3D printing is not the result of a single-path exploration; rather, it has proactively laid out a dual-technology approach combining laser and electron-beam techniques, creating a complementary and synergistic development model. As early as April 2025, China had already achieved groundbreaking progress in the field of electron-beam space 3D printing, providing another crucial foundation for subsequent space applications.
1. Key breakthroughs in electron beam melting technology
On April 11, 2025, according to a report by the Science and Technology Daily, the High-Energy Beam Generator Laboratory of the China Academy of Aerospace Manufacturing Technology has achieved a major breakthrough in the field of “space 3D printing” technology: The laboratory successfully used a cold-cathode electron gun under simulated microgravity conditions to achieve precise shaping of titanium alloys, thus completing “space-grade” 3D printing.
The core highlight of this breakthrough lies in the miniaturization and lightweight design of the equipment—the research team has developed a “space-grade” 3D-printing prototype. Compared to the European Space Agency’s 180-kilogram metal 3D printer, our country’s prototype significantly reduces both weight and volume, thereby substantially lowering launch costs and making it better suited for integration into small spacecraft and suborbital vehicles. Meanwhile, this technology has already achieved electron-beam wire-fusing fabrication under simulated microgravity conditions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent in-space demonstrations.
2. Technical details and functions of helium protection
In the vacuum environment of space, electron-beam 3D printing faces a key technical challenge: charge accumulation. To address this issue, the technology still relies on helium gas protection. The core function of helium gas is to facilitate a neutralization reaction between helium ions and electrons in the vacuum environment, thereby counteracting the oscillations and discharges in the electron beam caused by charge accumulation and ensuring the stability of the printing process.
It is worth noting that helium shielding not only addresses the issue of charge accumulation but also enhances the performance of printed parts. Research from Northwestern University in the United States shows that helium can suppress unstable keyhole formation by reducing effective energy absorption, thereby minimizing the formation of keyhole porosity and decreasing pore size, which in turn improves part density and mechanical properties. Although helium is relatively expensive, its application is indispensable in space manufacturing scenarios where component reliability is critically high. In contrast, argon—a gas commonly used in terrestrial industrial production—is cheaper and recyclable; however, it cannot meet the need for charge neutralization in the vacuum environment of space.
3. Differentiated positioning of the dual technology pathways
From a technical perspective, laser-based and electron-beam-based space 3D printing each have their own strengths and complement each other synergistically: Laser-based space printing focuses on high precision as its core objective, making it ideal for producing small, highly precise components that meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of space equipment. In contrast, electron-beam-based space printing excels in high energy and high efficiency, making it well-suited for fabricating large structural parts. Moreover, electron-beam printers offer greater potential for miniaturization, making them more adaptable to multi-scenario deployment needs. This dual-pronged approach enables China to flexibly select the most appropriate printing technology based on the specific requirements of different space missions, further enhancing the flexibility and competitiveness of China’s space manufacturing capabilities.
Three, International Comparison: Differences and Advantages of China’s Space Metal 3D Printing Versus That of the European Space Agency
In the field of space metal 3D printing, the European Space Agency is the first organization to have achieved human-made metal 3D printing in space. Its technological advancements stand in stark contrast to those of our country, highlighting China’s own technological strengths.
1. ESA’s Progress and Current Status
In 2024, the European Space Agency achieved humanity’s first-ever 3D printing of metal in space. The experiment was conducted aboard the International Space Station using a metal 3D printer developed by Airbus. Weighing 180 kilograms, the printer employs laser heating to melt stainless steel wire and successfully produced highly precise parts measuring 9 centimeters in height and 5 centimeters in width on the ISS. The entire manufacturing process took approximately 40 hours.
Details of this experiment reveal that the printing process was entirely remotely controlled by the ground team; astronauts were required only to open the nitrogen and vent valves before printing began. To ensure safety, the printer operated inside a fully sealed enclosure, preventing any excess heat or smoke from escaping. From June to August 2024, astronauts initiated the printing process for the parts, while the engineering team used a telecommunications link to remotely control and monitor the payload, continuously adjusting parameters to guarantee print quality. In March 2025, the first space-3D-printed metal component was returned to Earth for testing. However, as of January 2026, the relevant research results have not yet been released, suggesting that further optimization may still be needed in terms of part performance or process stability.
2. China’s Advantages and Breakthroughs
Compared to ESA’s progress, China’s space metal 3D printing demonstrates three distinct advantages: First, it adopts a dual-technology approach for synergistic development—while ESA has so far only achieved laser metal 3D printing, China is simultaneously advancing both laser and electron-beam technologies, thereby covering a wider range of application scenarios. Second, China’s equipment boasts significant advantages in miniaturization and weight reduction: ESA’s printer weighs as much as 180 kilograms, resulting in high launch costs, whereas China’s electron-beam prototype has been drastically lightened, making it more practical. Third, China’s experimental results are highly actionable—China’s Lihong No. 1 experiment successfully obtained comprehensive process parameters and performance data, while ESA’s test results have yet to be released. As a result, China enjoys a clear edge in the speed of technological iteration.
Overall, while ESA has taken the lead in achieving “from scratch” to “full-scale” 3D printing of space metals, China has made a breakthrough from “having it” to “excel-ing.” Leveraging advantages such as fully independent and controllable processes, synergistic dual-path approaches, and miniaturized equipment, China is steadily narrowing the gap with the world’s leading standards and has now joined the global first tier.
Four, International Comparison: Differences and Advantages of China’s Space Metal 3D Printing Versus That of the European Space Agency
As a cutting-edge technology that underpins space exploration and the space economy, 3D printing in space has undergone rapid iteration in recent years. Starting from the initial printing of basic tools, it has gradually expanded into diverse fields such as metals, biomaterials, and composite materials, thus establishing a clear trajectory of technological development.
1. The first 3D printing of human tissue in space (2014)
In 2014, humans sent a 3D printer to the International Space Station for the first time and successfully printed several tools and components, including wrenches. The core significance of this test lies in verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of 3D printing technology in the microgravity environment of space, providing foundational technological support for future space manufacturing. Since this initial test, space-based 3D printing technology has continued to evolve iteratively, gradually expanding from printing traditional tools to producing increasingly complex objects.
2. First 3D printing of biological materials in space (2018)
In 2018, Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station used a 3D bioprinter to print the thyroid gland of a laboratory mouse—a milestone that marked the first-ever instance of human beings printing a biological organ in space. This achievement not only demonstrated the feasibility of 3D bioprinting in space but also paved the way for providing medical care and repairing biological organs for astronauts during future long-term space exploration missions, thereby expanding the frontiers of 3D printing applications in space.
3. First-ever continuous fiber-reinforced composite 3D printing in space (2020)
In May 2020, China successfully integrated a domestically developed continuous-fiber-reinforced composite material 3D printer onto the Long March-5B manned spacecraft test vehicle, becoming the world’s first country to achieve this type of technology. This technology uses continuous fiber bundles and thermoplastic polymers as raw materials, and employs a self-developed print head to carry out composite impregnation and melt deposition, enabling the integrated preparation and shaping of composite materials. This breakthrough provides a brand-new approach for the manufacturing of large-scale composite structural components in space.
4. First-ever space-based laser metal 3D printing (2024)
In 2024, a metal 3D printer manufactured by Airbus successfully completed the deposition of the first batch of liquid test lines on the International Space Station, printing a molten “S-curve.” This milestone marks the successful commissioning of the 3D printer and officially kicks off the production of prototype parts. This breakthrough signifies that space-based metal 3D printing has moved from theoretical validation into the stage of practical application testing, laying the foundation for subsequent in-orbit manufacturing of components.
5. China’s Space Metal 3D Printing Engineering Verification (2026)
In January 2026, China’s CAS Space’s Li Hong-1 experiment was successfully completed, marking China as the second country in the world to achieve engineering validation of space-based metal 3D printing. Thanks to its dual technological approach, China has even surpassed some of ESA’s technologies, propelling China’s space manufacturing technology into the global forefront.
Five, Industry Significance and Future Prospects
The breakthrough in space-metal 3D printing technology is not only a major advancement in China’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities, but also holds profound implications for the future of space exploration and the development of the space economy. Its value is primarily reflected in three key aspects:
First, by enabling in-orbit manufacturing and on-site repairs, we can reduce the number of spare parts that spacecraft need to carry, thereby significantly lowering launch costs.
Second, to support deep-space exploration: In long-term deep-space missions, it is impossible to rely on ground-based resupply. Space 3D printing enables the immediate fabrication of tools and components, thereby overcoming the challenge of supply logistics.
Third, we will promote the development of the space economy by providing core support for areas such as space station maintenance, construction of space infrastructure, and commercial spaceflight, thereby helping to build a circular space economy.
Future Development Directions: Combining current technological advancements, China’s future space metal 3D printing will focus on three key areas:
First, we will advance technological iteration by optimizing laser wire-feeding printing process parameters based on data obtained from the Lihong-1 experiment, and promote in-space demonstrations of electron-beam wire-feeding technology to further enhance printing accuracy and efficiency. Second, we will address key pain points by developing low-cost helium storage and recycling technologies, thereby reducing the cost associated with helium dependency in electron-beam printing. At the same time, we will continue to upgrade equipment toward lighter weight and smaller size, making it more adaptable to the mounting requirements of a wider range of spacecraft.
Third, we will expand application scenarios and promote the use of space metal 3D printing technology in areas such as satellite repair, manufacturing of space station components, and printing of structural parts for deep-space probes, thereby bridging the gap from “technology verification” to “practical application.”
Conclusion:
The milestone breakthrough in China’s space metal 3D printing in 2026 highlights our country’s independent innovation capabilities in the aerospace manufacturing sector. Leveraging the synergistic advantages of both laser and electron-beam technologies, China has not only filled a domestic technological gap but has also steadily risen to become one of the world’s leading players in space manufacturing. As the technology continues to evolve and its application scenarios keep expanding, space metal 3D printing will serve as a crucial pillar in China’s journey toward becoming a space power, injecting even stronger Chinese momentum into humanity’s quest to explore outer space.
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