Chips In The Sky: How This British Company Is Building A Semiconductor Factory In Space

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 17:45 IST

Each factory, about the size of a large washing machine, could produce enough crystal material for 10 million semiconductors in just weeks.

British company Space Forge is attempting something unprecedented: manufacturing ultra-high-purity semiconductor crystals in space. The company aims to use microgravity and the vacuum of orbit to create materials that could power quantum computers, AI data centers and advanced defense systems back on Earth.

In June 2025, Space Forge launched its first satellite, ForgeStar-1, aboard a SpaceX rocket. The microwave-sized satellite successfully generated plasma- gas heated to 1,000°C- a first step toward producing crystals of unmatched quality.

Why Make Semiconductor Crystals In Space?

CEO Joshua Western explained that microgravity allows atoms in crystals to arrange more regularly while space’s vacuum minimizes contamination. The result: crystals hundreds or even thousands of times purer than what Earth-based labs can produce. Higher purity translates directly into more efficient and reliable semiconductors for high-performance applications.

What Is The Commercial Goal?

Space Forge plans to launch a full-scale orbital production system within two years. Each factory, about the size of a large washing machine, could produce enough crystal material for 10 million semiconductors in just weeks. The company is targeting sectors where performance is critical: aerospace, defense, telecommunications and large-scale AI infrastructure.

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What Challenges Does The Company Face On Earth?

Operating in space comes with regulatory and legal hurdles. Obtaining the launch license for ForgeStar-1 took two and a half years, despite the satellite being built in just seven weeks. Additionally, because materials are produced in orbit, it is unclear how taxation or ownership will be handled when they return to Earth.

How Valuable Are Space-Manufactured Materials?

Crystals produced in space could be worth tens of millions of dollars per kilogram, depending on their composition. Beyond replicating Earth-based compounds with superior quality, orbit-based manufacturing opens possibilities for entirely new materials that were previously only theoretical.

How Will The Materials Return To Earth?

Returning fragile, high-value materials safely is a major challenge. Space Forge is developing a heat-shield system likened to a “Mary Poppins for space"- a space-grade umbrella that protects satellites and materials during atmospheric re-entry, allowing them to float safely back to the ground.

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