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A company based in Cardiff is advancing the futuristic concept of manufacturing in space by successfully sending a compact factory into orbit. This microwave-sized satellite has demonstrated that its furnace can reach temperatures of approximately 1,000 degrees Celsius, a crucial step toward producing high-quality semiconductor materials in space. These semiconductors are vital components used in electronics across communications, computing, and transportation sectors on Earth.
The unique environment of space provides ideal conditions for semiconductor fabrication. The absence of gravity allows atoms to arrange themselves into a perfectly ordered three-dimensional structure without the disruptions caused by weight. Additionally, space’s vacuum prevents contaminants from infiltrating the material, resulting in an unprecedented level of purity. “The work that we’re doing now is allowing us to create semiconductors up to 4,000 times purer in space than we can currently make here today,” explained Josh Western, CEO of Space Forge. He added that such ultrahigh-purity semiconductors will find applications in technologies like 5G towers, electric vehicle chargers, and modern aircraft.
Since the launch of their mini-factory aboard a SpaceX rocket over the summer, the Space Forge team has been remotely monitoring its performance from mission control in Cardiff. Veronica Viera, the company’s payload operations lead, shared the excitement of receiving images from within the furnace showing plasma—a gas heated to around 1,000 degrees Celsius—glowing inside the unit. She described the moment as “one of the most exciting moments of my life” and highlighted its significance as a core component of their in-space manufacturing process.
Looking ahead, Space Forge intends to develop a larger factory capable of producing semiconductor materials sufficient for 10,000 chips. A critical challenge they must address is safely returning the manufactured materials to Earth. To this end, a heat shield named Pridwen, inspired by the legendary shield of King Arthur, will be tested to ensure the spacecraft’s protection during atmospheric re-entry. The potential of space-based manufacturing extends beyond semiconductors, with other enterprises exploring production of pharmaceuticals and artificial tissues. Libby Jackson, head of space at the Science Museum, emphasized that while the industry is still in its infancy, successful demonstrations pave the way for economically viable space manufacturing that benefits life on Earth
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