A factory in space? It sounds like sci-fi. But it’s already happening.
A Cardiff-based startup, Space Forge, has just taken a big leap toward manufacturing materials hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
The company has launched a microwave-sized “space factory” into orbit—and proved it works.
Its onboard furnace successfully switched on and heated up to around 1,000°C.
So why go to space to make things? Simple: perfection. In microgravity, atoms line up flawlessly.
No gravity. No dust. No contamination. The result? Semiconductors that are far purer than anything made on Earth.
Semiconductors Made in Space
“We can create semiconductors up to 4,000 times purer in space,” says Space Forge CEO Josh Western.
Those materials could end up everywhere—from 5G towers and electric vehicles to aircraft and computing systems.
Back in Cardiff, the team watched in awe as images streamed down from orbit, showing glowing plasma inside the furnace.
“One of the most exciting moments of my life,” said payload lead Veronica Viera.
Next up? A bigger factory capable of supplying material for 10,000 chips—and a heat shield to safely bring it all back to Earth.
“In-space manufacturing is happening now,” says space expert Libby Jackson. Early days, yes—but the future? That’s looking sky-high.
