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Space Forge, a British startup, has launched the ForgeStar-1 satellite, marking the first commercial semiconductor fabrication in space. In December 2025, the satellite's onboard furnace produced plasma at approximately 1,000°C, demonstrating the ability to grow semiconductor crystals in microgravity.

This process could lead to chips that are significantly cleaner and more efficient than those produced on Earth. Space Forge aims to utilize the ideal conditions of orbit's microgravity and vacuum to create ultra-pure crystals, targeting materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide, which could reduce device energy consumption by up to 60%. The ForgeStar-1 mission will continue testing to gather data for future flights and refine the manufacturing process.