New studies for manufacturing advanced materials in orbit

Air February 12, 2026

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The UK Space Agency has commissioned three pivotal studies to explore the commercial and strategic potential of manufacturing advanced materials in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

This initiative focuses on In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM), a sector identified by the UK government as a priority for both national security and industrial growth. By leveraging the unique conditions of microgravity, extreme temperatures, and natural vacuum found in space, these projects aim to produce high-performance materials – such as semiconductors and optical fibres – that are technically difficult or commercially unfeasible to manufacture on Earth.

Three UK-based firms have been awarded contracts totalling £845,000 to advance these capabilities. Space Forge Ltd received £300,000 for its ‘2Forge2Furious’ study, which focuses on producing semiconductor seed crystals in orbit. These components are essential for increasing the efficiency and power density of electronic devices used in telecommunications, data centre infrastructure, and quantum computing. Concurrently, OrbiSky Ltd has been awarded £295,000 for the ‘SkyYield’ study to develop payloads for processing ZBLAN fluoride glass. This specialist optical fibre offers up to 100 times less signal loss than traditional silica fibre, presenting significant opportunities for secure telecommunications and advanced medical imaging systems.

Additionally, BioOrbit Ltd was awarded £250,000 for the ‘PHARM’ study, which investigates the manufacture of protein crystals in microgravity to improve drug formulations. While primarily medical in scope, the study includes critical engagement with regulatory bodies to establish commercialisation pathways that could influence future dual-use supply chains and bio-defence capabilities. These investments are jointly supported by the UK Space Agency’s Sustainability & ISAM and Unlocking Space programmes. The latter is specifically designed to address systemic barriers to market entry, fostering an environment where space-based technologies can be adopted across both public and private sectors, including the UK defence industry.

For contractors and sub-contractors within the UK defence and space supply chain, these studies represent the early stages of a high-potential industrial sector. The move toward sovereign in-orbit manufacturing capabilities is expected to drive demand for specialised process controls, payload verification systems, and autonomous assembly technologies. By backing these domestic innovators, the government intends to position the UK at the forefront of the global space economy, ensuring that the next generation of critical technologies – from high-power electronics to advanced sensors – is supported by a resilient and technologically advanced domestic manufacturing base. These feasibility studies will serve as the foundation for future missions, maturing the technologies required to integrate space-manufactured materials into terrestrial supply chains.

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