Lifesaving medicines, optical fibers and semiconductors are among the advanced materials that could be manufactured in space to benefit people and businesses across the UK.
The UK Space Agency has awarded three British companies contracts to investigate the production of these advanced materials in low Earth orbit, where conditions such as microgravity, natural vacuum and extreme temperatures can result in products that are difficult, expensive or impossible to manufacture on Earth.
The research supports in-orbit services, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM), which the Government has identified as a priority capability area for UK leadership, growth and national security.
“These pioneering studies demonstrate how British ingenuity is pushing the boundaries of what is possible, harnessing the space environment to revolutionize the development of life-saving medicines and advanced materials that will power the technologies of the future,” explained Space Secretary Liz Lloyd.
“By investing in advanced manufacturing in orbit, we will support the jobs and industry of tomorrow, while strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in the space economy.”
Assessing the feasibility of in-orbit advanced materials
Each study assesses technical feasibility, matures key technologies, and develops a reliable route to market for advanced materials in space.
Three contracts were signed with the following companies:
BioOrbit Ltd – £250,000
The PHARM study will design an end-to-end mission to manufacture pharmaceuticals in microgravity.
Microgravity enables the formation of more complete and reproducible protein crystals for formulations that are not possible on Earth, making it possible to treat cancer at home.
BioOrbit is working with relevant regulatory agencies to facilitate commercialization of this mission.
“Medicines made in space will have a dramatic impact on all of our lives,” said Dr. Katie King, CEO of BioOrbit. “BioOrbit’s PHARM research ensures that we can produce medicines in space under the same regulations as medicines made on Earth. This is a world first.”
Space Forge Ltd – £300,000
The 2Forge2Furious research will demonstrate how to commercially produce semiconductor seed crystals in orbit to improve the efficiency, reliability, and power density of high-power electronics such as communications, data center infrastructure, EV charging, and quantum computing.
Space Forge CEO and co-founder Josh Western commented, “Space Forge proved our technology on ForgeStar-1 and produced plasma for the first time on a commercial free-flying platform. This research will enable us to advance development towards true commercialization.”
OrbiSky Ltd – £295,000
The “SkyYield” study will design a payload to process ZBLAN fluoride glasses under microgravity.
ZBLAN is a specialized optical fiber that can transmit light with up to 100 times less signal loss than traditional silica fibers, and has great potential in communications and medical imaging.
Sylvester Kaczmarek, CEO of OrbiSky, said: “With support from the UK Space Agency, we will define a reliable end-to-end payload concept to produce ultra-low loss ZBLAN optical fiber in orbit, including the process controls and validation required for commercial adoption.”
He added: “This is an important step towards a new market for UK-led space manufacturing, with clear benefits for communications and medical imaging.”
Unleash the growth of space-based services
The investment is co-funded by the UK Space Agency’s ‘Sustainability and ISAM’ and ‘Unlocking Space’ programmes.
The Unlocking Space portfolio supports the growth of the UK space sector by tackling institutional barriers and driving demand, investment readiness and public sector adoption of space-based services, data and technology across new stakeholder groups.
This includes engaging with public and private sector end users of medicines produced in microgravity and identifying interventions to support the commercialization of these products.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, concluded: “By supporting these innovative companies to explore advanced manufacturing in orbit, the UK will be able to capture new markets and deliver tangible benefits to the planet, from better medicines to more efficient electronics.”
“These studies demonstrate the Government’s ambition to advance one of the most exciting frontiers in space technology.”
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