Dive Brief:
- U.K.-based aerospace manufacturer Space Forge plans to open its first U.S. production site, the startup announced earlier this month.
- Space Forge, which manufactures lucrative materials like semiconductors in space, hopes to capitalize on growing demand in the sector. The new facility would manufacture the company’s satellites and payloads, an attachment that relays data, Space Forge said in an email.
- The company currently has administrative offices in Washington, D.C. and is considering several locations to house its U.S. manufacturing headquarters. The startup said it hopes to choose a site and begin operations by the end of the year.
Dive Insight:
The company cited the CHIPS and Science Act as part of its push to establish manufacturing operations in the U.S., as well as what it called NASA’s “enthusiasm” for in-space manufacturing. Space Forge said in-orbit manufacturing is a contaminant-free, weightless environment that can produce superior materials.
As part of its growth plans, the startup aims to launch the first iteration of its satellite platform, the ForgeStar-1A later this year, which will manufacture semiconductors in space.
“As we field more interest in our ability to produce super materials, production capabilities in one of the world’s largest semiconductor markets is a logical next step,” Space Forge CEO Joshua Western said in a statement.
The increase demand for semiconductors is also fueled by defense initiatives such as the AUKUS Alliance, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, U.K. and U.S. formed in September 2021.
“There is a huge need across the partners. . .for the advanced materials that Space Forge can produce,” Western told Manufacturing Dive in an email. “Establishing locations with each AUKUS partner enables Space Forge to support their needs with sovereign capability.”
Space Forge declined to comment on the size of its U.S. investment.
The startup is not the only company to pursue manufacturing in space. In March, NASA awarded aerospace manufacturer Redwood Corp. a $5.9 million contract to complete the design of an in-space, multi-material 3D printing system.
And earlier this month, NASA created the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities, or COSMIC. The new coalition will focus on advancing domestic in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing, or ISAM.
COSMIC also aligns with the Biden administration's recently published ISAM National Strategy and National ISAM Implementation Plan, which would implement and accelerate research and development related to ISAM.
