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Space Forge, a Cardiff-based startup, has activated its 'space mini-factory' in low Earth orbit to produce ultra-pure semiconductor materials. The factory, launched aboard a SpaceX rocket, operates autonomously at temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius, taking advantage of microgravity to achieve crystal purity up to 4,000 times greater than on Earth.

This technology, developed with support from the European Space Agency, aims to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing, with potential applications in quantum computing and AI hardware. Space Forge plans to use reusable capsules to bring products back to Earth, targeting a cost-effective and cyclical production model. The company has raised significant funding and aims to position the UK as a leader in space technology, while addressing global supply chain vulnerabilities in semiconductor production.