Revolutionising the Defence Supply Chain through Space-enabled Materials & Manufacturing Processes (M&MP)

The semiconductor materials manufactured by Space Forge will enable the development of new state-of-the-art low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) microelectronic devices which have a multitude of Defence applications and benefits. The projected space grown materials will increase power densities by \>3x, leading to increased transmission efficiency of 50% of systems and equipment, extended lifetime of components and halve the mass of systems, among other benefits. Overall the aim is to develop a new sovereign capability that has the potential to revolutionise UK Defence supply chains whilst also providing wider national security benefits.

Partnering with Northrop Grumman, who have 50+ years of expertise delivering discriminating microelectronics, we will de-risk a new supply chain for highly efficient semiconductor devices. Through this, Space Forge aims to mitigate existing supply chain issues, helping UK MOD to sustain existing support mechanisms and creating new ones simultaneously.

The project output will not be sufficient characterisation data of space made materials to prove the increase in efficiency due to the lack of launch opportunity within the existing project period. The project's on the ground testing and design development outputs will inform how the space environment can be exploited to produce materials with superior quality than if made terrestrially.