The UK Space Agency has awarded contracts to three UK companies
to investigate producing these advanced materials in Low Earth
Orbit, where the conditions – including microgravity, natural
vacuum, and extreme temperatures – can create products that are
difficult, expensive, or impossible to manufacture on Earth.
The research supports in-orbit servicing, assembly and
manufacturing (ISAM), which the government identifies as a
priority capability area for UK leadership, growth, and national
security.
Each study will assess technical feasibility, mature key
technologies, and develop credible routes to market.
Space Minister said:
Space isn't just about exploration, it's about innovation that
improves everyday lives here on Earth.
These pioneering studies show how British ingenuity is pushing
the boundaries of what's possible - leveraging space conditions
to innovate the development of life-saving medicines and advanced
materials that will power future technologies. By investing in
in-orbit manufacturing, we're backing the jobs and industries of
tomorrow while cementing the UK's position as a global leader in
the space economy.
The three contracts are:
BioOrbit Ltd (£250,000) – The ‘PHARM' study will
design an end-to-end mission to manufacture drugs in
microgravity. Microgravity enables the formation of more perfect,
reproducible protein crystals for drug formulations that cannot
be achieved on Earth, enabling cancer treatments to be given at
home. BioOrbit is working with relevant regulatory bodies to
ensure that this mission can be readily commercialised.
Space Forge Ltd (£300,000) – The
‘2Forge2Furious' study will demonstrate how semiconductor seed
crystals could be produced commercially in orbit, with the aim of
improving the efficiency, reliability and power density of
high-power electronic devices, including telecommunications, data
centre infrastructure, EV charging and quantum computing.
OrbiSky Ltd (£295,000) – The ‘SkyYield' study
will design a payload to process ZBLAN fluoride glass in
microgravity. ZBLAN is a specialist optical fibre that can
transmit light with up to 100 times less signal loss than
traditional silica fibre, with significant potential for
telecommunications and medical imaging.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:
By backing these innovative companies to explore manufacturing in
orbit, we're positioning the UK to capture new markets and bring
tangible benefits back to Earth—from better medicines to more
efficient electronics. These studies demonstrate the government's
ambition to drive forward one of the most exciting frontiers of
space technology.
The investment is jointly funded by the UK Space Agency's
Sustainability & ISAM and Unlocking Space programmes. The
Unlocking Space portfolio supports UK space sector growth by
tackling systemic barriers and driving demand, investment
readiness, and public sector adoption of space‑based services,
data, and technologies by new stakeholder groups. This includes
engagement with public and private sector end-users of
pharmaceuticals manufactured in microgravity, and identifying
interventions which support commercialisation of these products.
Dr Katie King, CEO of BioOrbit, said:
Space made pharmaceuticals will have a dramatic impact on all of
our lives. BioOrbit's PHARM study ensures that we can produce
drugs in space under the same regulation as drugs made on Earth –
which will be a world first.
Josh Western, Space Forge CEO and Co-Founder said:
Space Forge is pleased to be a part of this national effort to
place the UK at the forefront of in-space manufacturing.
The UK Space Agency has seen the opportunity that this high
potential sector has, and placing a contract such as this is a
key indicator of the UK's support for innovation and growth.
Space Forge has proven our technology with the ForgeStar-1,
generating plasma on a commercial free flying platform for the
first time. This study will allow us to progress that development
towards true commercialisation.
Sylvester Kaczmarek, Chief Executive Officer at OrbiSky, said:
SkyYield is about turning the unique conditions of microgravity
into real-world capability. With UK Space Agency support, we'll
define a credible, end-to-end payload concept for manufacturing
ultra-low-loss ZBLAN optical fibre in orbit, including the
process controls and verification needed for commercial adoption.
This is an important step towards new UK-led markets in space
manufacturing, with clear benefits for telecoms and medical
imaging.
