Semiconductors move closer to space manufacturing
High-purity semiconductor production in space moves closer after Space Forge, a UK company, proves its orbital factory can operate extreme heat.
Space Forge, a UK company, has successfully activated a compact factory in orbit, proving its onboard furnace can operate at temperatures of around 1,000C. The breakthrough represents a major advance for space-based manufacturing.
The microwave-sized satellite was launched earlier this year and is operated remotely from mission control in Cardiff. Engineers have been monitoring its systems to validate manufacturing processes in space conditions.
Microgravity and vacuum environments allow semiconductor atoms to align more precisely than on Earth. These conditions produce significantly purer materials for electronics used in networks, electric vehicles and aerospace systems.
The company plans to build a larger orbital factory capable of producing materials for thousands of chips. Future missions will also test a heat shield designed to return manufactured products safely to Earth.
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