BARI, Italy, Aug 7, 2026 – NESST Srl, an innovative startup dedicated to 3D aerospace manufacturing, announces that has successfully completed the first phase of a project funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and European Space Agency (ESA), focused on the design, additive manufacturing, and validation of primary CubeSat 3U structure using the Roboze ARGO 500 HYPERSPEED platform and Carbon PEEK. The project’s primary objective was to validate the use of high-performance polymers processed via FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) for space structural components. Through rigorous testing and material characterization, NESST Srl demonstrated that the Carbon PEEK polymer delivers mechanical performance comparable to the classic aluminum alloys traditionally utilized for satellite structures. Additionally, the material proved fully compatible with the space environment, successfully meeting the strict outgassing requirements defined by the ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standard.
By transitioning from conventional subtractive manufacturing to advanced 3D printing, NESST Srl has unlocked the potential for extreme geometrical customization. This structural optimization allows for highly tailored designs without incurring the standard tooling costs and rigid constraints associated with CNC machining.
To manufacture the components and support the demanding material characterization campaign, NESST Srl utilized Roboze’s advanced additive manufacturing technology and proprietary Carbon PEEK material. Furthermore, Roboze, the company building the Physical AI backbone for autonomous manufacturing, contributed its specialized expertise by supporting the definition of optimal 3D printing parameters during the crucial testing phase, ensuring the material met stringent space industry standards.
“Proving that FFF-processed polymers can rival traditional aluminum alloys marks a significant shift in how we conceive satellite manufacturing. This project validates our core vision: additive manufacturing is a strategic enabler for extreme structural customization and cost-efficiency. We are already focusing on Phase 2 of the project, where we will leverage this design freedom to increasingly functionalize the CubeSat structures, directly integrating elements such as harnesses, electronics, microfluidics etc.” said Francesco Lucia, Technical Manager at NESST Srl.
“We are proud to have provided our technical support and manufacturing technology to NESST Srl for this milestone. Optimizing the FFF process for high-performance polymers is exactly what our technology is built for, and this project highlights the readiness of these materials for the evolving space economy.” said Alessio Lorusso, Founder and CEO of Roboze.
About ROBOZE
ROBOZE is building the Physical AI backbone for autonomous manufacturing in strategic industries. Every era of progress has been defined by how societies build. From steel and electricity to automation and digitalization, industrial capability has always determined what nations can achieve.
Today, defense, aerospace, energy, transportation, and critical infrastructure require a new generation of manufacturing infrastructure, one that is autonomous, distributed, resilient, and qualified.
ROBOZE combines advanced production systems, high-performance materials, process intelligence, and autonomous manufacturing software to enable localized production of mission-critical components at industrial scale. For more information, visit https://www.roboze.com.
