Traditional manufacturing methods for space technology encounter significant challenges — they are slow, wasteful, and struggle to meet the exacting requirements for space-ready devices. ATLANT 3D is revolutionising this landscape with its groundbreaking direct atomic layer processing (DALP®) technology, which enables atom-by-atom fabrication for precise development of advanced materials and devices crucial for space exploration, quantum computing, and next-generation electronics.
Today, this Copenhagen and London-based startup has secured a $15M Series A+ funding round led by West Hill Capital, bringing its total funding to $32.6M. This new funding will accelerate ATLANT 3D’s mission to transform space manufacturing while expanding its technology leadership, global innovation network, and strategic partnerships with space agencies.
Dr. Maksym Plakhotnyuk, founder and CEO of ATLANT 3D, commented: “This funding empowers us to make atomic-scale manufacturing accessible to space agencies and research facilities worldwide. Our collaborations with NASA and ESA demonstrate our technology’s critical role in advancing space exploration. We’re enabling partners to develop previously impossible devices for space applications — from advanced materials for spacecraft to components for space-based quantum computers.”
Reshaping the future of micro and nanotechnology
ATLANT 3D, founded in Copenhagen in 2018 by Dr. Maksym Plakhotnyuk, Ivan Kundrata, and Prof. Dr. Julien Bachmann, is pioneering atomic-scale manufacturing for space applications. Its atomic-layer 3D printing technology is designed to meet the unique challenges of manufacturing in space environments.
Plakhotnyuk told TFN: “Space manufacturing requires extraordinary precision and reliability. Traditional atomic layer deposition wasn’t optimised for space applications. We saw an opportunity to develop a 3D printer capable of creating space-ready components at the atomic scale, directly addressing NASA and ESA’s needs for next-generation space technology.”
He continued: “The breakthrough came when I met Ivan at a conference in Barcelona. We shared a vision for revolutionising space manufacturing through atomic-scale 3D printing. Today, that vision is becoming reality through our partnerships with the world’s leading space agencies.”
ATLANT 3D’s technology addresses critical challenges in space manufacturing, including the need for rapid prototyping, sustainable production, and the ability to create complex components in space environments. Their solutions significantly reduce development time and costs while enabling the production of advanced materials and electronics that meet rigorous space industry standards.
Behind ATLANT 3D: building materials and devices, atom by atom
At the heart of ATLANT 3D’s innovation is their direct atomic layer processing (DALP®) technology, which revolutionises space manufacturing through maskless, atomic-precision fabrication. Unlike traditional semiconductor manufacturing that relies on complex photolithography, DALP® enables direct atomic-scale construction of components in a single step.
Plakhotnyuk explained: “Traditional semiconductor fabrication relies on multi-step, mask-based photolithography, which is costly, slow, and environmentally hazardous due to the chemicals and materials involved. In contrast, ATLANT 3D’s DALP® technology offers a faster, cheaper, and greener alternative by allowing direct material deposition with atomic precision in a single step.”
The NANOFABRICATOR™ product line, including the LITE and FLOW models, supports terrestrial research and space-based manufacturing. This technology reduces material waste by 90% while facilitating the creation of previously impossible structures suitable for space. With ATLANT 3D’s technology, researchers can develop complex structures that were once impractical or impossible, ranging from quantum computing components to space-ready devices. The company’s NANOFABRICATOR™ systems expedite materials research, device R&D, and prototype development, empowering laboratories to explore new frontiers of innovation.
The company’s technology has gained significant traction in the space industry. Its systems are deployed by NASA, ESA, and over 50 partner organisations, including semiconductor manufacturers such as STMicroelectronics and Sony and several other Fortune 500 companies and research institutions.
Future plans and space manufacturing roadmap
Looking ahead, Plakhotnyuk shared: “For the next 3-5 years, we’re focusing on expanding our space manufacturing capabilities and strengthening our partnerships with NASA and ESA. A major milestone has been our NANOFABRICATOR™ ZERO-G system, specifically designed for manufacturing in microgravity and zero-gravity environments. This technology enables autonomous manufacturing during deep space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and Mars. We’re actively working with space agencies and private companies to integrate our systems into upcoming space missions, potentially revolutionising how we manufacture in space.”
