Three washing machine-sized capsules orbiting Earth. One is growing crystals of a potential cancer drug. Others are testing heat protection and navigation systems. They represent a small step towards what some hope will be a lucrative new industry.
Varda is developing autonomous factories to produce materials in microgravity. The company has already returned several capsules to Earth. It plans to launch another 10 missions in 2027 and 2028.
ForgeStar-1 has demonstrated processes needed to manufacture semiconductor ‘seed wafers’ Company hopes to demonstrate entire manufacturing and return process by 2030. Challenges remain, including demonstrating benefits of manufacturing in orbit.
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