A Cardiff-based company is set to launch a groundbreaking satellite that could change the way we manufacture technology in space. Space Forge, which began as a small venture in a garage, is preparing to send its prototype manufacturing satellite, ForgeStar-1, to the United States. From there, it will be launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket in the coming weeks.
Sky News was granted exclusive access to Space Forge’s clean room, where engineers are conducting final checks on the satellite. ForgeStar-1 is packed with the materials needed to create a new type of super-efficient semiconductor chip that cannot be produced on Earth. Joshua Western, one of the company’s co-founders, expressed excitement about the potential impact of their work, stating, "This is the next industrial revolution but it’s in space, it’s not on Earth."
Semiconductors are crucial components in nearly all electronic devices, but the current production methods using silicon crystals have limitations. In the unique environment of space, specifically in microgravity, Space Forge aims to produce crystals from a new blend of chemical compounds. This could lead to chips that operate faster and consume significantly less energy.
Western highlighted the potential benefits, saying, "We’re able to reduce the energy consumed where they get deployed by more than 50%." He noted that this could translate to billions of pounds saved on energy bills in the UK alone. These advancements could also benefit energy-intensive applications like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as everyday technologies like mobile data usage.
The prototype will test the process of creating these advanced materials and has received the first in-orbit advanced manufacturing license from the Civil Aviation Authority. If successful, future missions could produce high-grade materials that could be brought back to Earth, potentially worth up to £45 million per kilogram.
To safely return these valuable materials, Space Forge has designed a lightweight heat shield named Pridwen, which unfolds like an umbrella during re-entry to protect the satellite and ensure a gentle splashdown in the ocean.
The UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult, which supports space startups, believes this innovation could lead to significant advancements in various fields, from stronger materials to new medical treatments. Nafeesa Dajda, the Catapult’s chief of missions, emphasized the unique opportunities that space offers. She noted that the potential economic impact for the UK could reach around £20 billion over the next decade.
As Space Forge prepares for the launch, the team reflects on their journey from humble beginnings. Western remarked on the optimism surrounding technology in the UK today, highlighting a renewed energy in the engineering sector despite current challenges. This venture could mark a significant step forward for both the company and the future of manufacturing in space.
