UK Firm Launches 1,000°C Furnace in Orbit for Semiconductors

Techno-optimist narrative

Space Forge's successful plasma generation aboard ForgeStar-1 marks a revolutionary breakthrough in semiconductor manufacturing, proving that advanced crystal growth can be achieved on a commercial satellite in low Earth orbit. This world-first capability enables production of ultra-pure wide-bandgap materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide that are orders of magnitude cleaner than Earth-made alternatives, directly addressing critical supply chain needs for defense, quantum systems and power electronics. The microgravity environment eliminates defect formation and contamination that plague terrestrial production, opening an entirely new manufacturing frontier that will improve efficiency and resilience across industries central to technological progress.