Space Forge raises $30 million Series A to make chip materials in space

From AI to EVS, demand for semiconductors is exploding, but silicon is reaching its limit. It is necessary to make more efficient chips New ingredientsmuch more ubiquitous than sand, but the solution may literally be there.

Space ForgeThe British startup, headquartered in Cardiff, Wales, recently raised £22.6 million (approximately $30 million) Series A to create wafer materials in a universe where unique conditions unlock new possibilities.

For example, a Welsh startup has previously won funding project BT (formerly British Communications) wants to test how 5G towers can reduce power consumption by integrating crystalline materials grown in space. Due to zero gravity and other properties, there are fewer defects in crystals created in space, which helps the device use less energy.

These real-world use cases convey the message that Space Forge can use its technology as an invisible backbone for critical systems. The whole idea of ​​making chips on orbit may sound like science fiction, but its feasibility is known Since the 1970sCEO Joshua Western told TechCrunch.

“We were on the shoulders of about 50 years of research in knowing that this is possible, but also knowing there is a deep improvement in doing so,” Western said.

The improvements to the problem have acquired fewer defects, improved performance crystals and advanced semiconductor materials, making them attractive for use in applications such as quantum computing and defense systems.

This possibility of double use explains why NATO Innovation Fund Why Northrop Grumman, the leading US defense contractor, leads Space Forge Series A One of those partners.

Partners are key to Space Forge’s trajectory. The company does not build rockets and instead relies on existing space providers, which in Western terms is “solved problems.”

It’s not just rockets. From chip manufacturing to space return, Space Forge combines technologies that could be described as resolved issues, at least on paper. But when you ask Western about the moat, he immediately has a retort.

That’s the price you pay to take advantage of the unique environment of the universe. It needs to be adapted to harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures and microgravity, Western said. “Physics has the answer, and engineering is the way to actually get there.”

“Mary Poppins from Space”

Engineering is also needed to bridge the gap between innovation and commercially viable technologies. Rather than capsules like Apollo, Space Forge returns the material back to Earth as “Mary Poppins from Space.” Western explained the nickname: “We unfold what looks like an umbrella (but) it is space grade, and that allows us to return from space to the ground.”

Development of new return technologies is a key focus for Space Forge. In addition to Heat Shield, Pridwen nods to King Arthur’s legend, and also has a startup. Fielder has been developedA floating net to catch the returned satellite and ensure a soft landing in the water. These efforts were supported by the British Space Agency and the European Space Agency.

Establishing return infrastructure across Europe is one of Space Forge’s ambitions and is ongoing. This week, the company We opened an office in Portugal Santa Maria Island in the Azores is a suitable location for satellite returns on mainland Europe, and is an important step to convince European partners that this approach can reach industrial scale.

Increased commodity of both return and launch technologies The rise of space manufacturing startups It could be, and applications include drug discovery and telecom hardware. But their viability remains highly dependent on finding clients who are willing to pay that premium, or who are still willing to pay the cost.

Changing geopolitics will help spaces to secure more of these clients. Western and his co-founder, CTO Andrew Bacon previously worked at Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and his Italian colleague Leonardo. However, this trend is wider than mere defense, as concerns are growing across Europe than Taiwan’s dependence on semiconductors.

“We urgently need a resilient, homemade supply of the next generation of supermaterials needed for the future of computing, and we also need to produce this homemade chip supply sustainably.”

Climate Tech VC Firmjointly led Space Forge seed round He also participated in Series A and purchased Space Forge’s positioning as a “carbon negative technology.” You can fight climate change. However, emission savings have not yet been proven on scale and rely on commercial adoption to truly offset each mission.

However, Space Forge still needs to complete the first mission. That first attempt ended after a total of 6.5 minutes Virgin Orbit rockets suffered abnormally With the launch of Cornwall in 2023, the entire payload was lost, including Space Forgestar-0 satellite.

With new funding, the company is now accelerating the development of its latest spacecraft, preparing to launch a Forgestar-1 demonstrator with Pridwen later this year. Then, nodding to the faraway Galaxy, Space Forge announced the mission’s official name, “The Forge Awakens.”

Anna Heim met and interviewed Joshua Western and Dahlia Sahalova at the World Fund event, where the VC company covers her travel expenses. This article was written independently.