Space Forge has secured nearly £8 million in funding from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF). With a total project value of £13 million, which will be reached through match contributions, this significant investment will enable the establishment of the National Microgravity Research Center, a facility set to act as a catalyst for advanced material research and production.
Space Forge’s National Microgravity Research Centre will play a pivotal role in advancing in-space manufacturing research, with a primary focus on inorganic crystal structures grown in microgravity conditions for use in electronics.
The global semiconductor industry is anticipated to grow to $1 trillion in revenues by 2030, doubling in this decade. This growth is expected to require investment in high-end advanced wafer manufacturing materials, equipment, and services. In-space manufacturing offers unique advantages, such as microgravity and vacuum conditions, that can lead to the creation of semiconductors with superior performance and reduced defects compared to those manufactured on Earth. The result would be sophisticated microchips that run faster and use less energy.
Space Forge also offers microgravity as a service with their world-first reusable, returnable orbital manufacturing platform, the ForgeStar™. This gives everybody the opportunity to manufacture things in space or carry out microgravity experiments.
Space Forge’s initiative extends beyond research and development. The company is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration within the space industry through its “pathway to space” program. This initiative will provide space companies with access to state-of-the-art equipment, clean rooms, electronics labs, and payload bays, effectively establishing a central hub for the growing space industry in Wales and the UK.
Moreover, Space Forge will offer comprehensive support to companies throughout their entire mission journey, from design and development to testing and end-mission support. This holistic approach, coupled with access to Space Forge’s extensive network of investors, promises to nurture and accelerate business growth in the space sector.
The establishment of the National Microgravity Research Center marks a significant milestone in the UK’s space capabilities. Just 2 days after the UKSA announcement SpaceForge also secured funding from the NATO alliance’s $1.1bn (£870m) investment fund, who believe that the ‘Made in Space’ chips are a great example of dual-use technology.
Sources: Space Forge secures million£ UK Space Agency funding to build National Microgravity Research Center https://news.satnews.com/2024/06/19/space-forge-secures-million-uk-space-agency-funding-to-build-national-microgravity-research-center/
Nato’s $1bn fund backs British start-up to build space factories https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nato-1bn-fund-backs-british-174614146.html
Space Forge web page https://www.spaceforge.com/
Microgravity on demand with Earth return through ESA’s Boost! https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost/Microgravity_on_demand_with_Earth_return_through_ESA_s_Boost