British in-orbit manufacturing company Space Forge has appointed technology expert Atul Kumar to establish a semiconductor business in the United States, aiming to enhance domestic chip production amid growing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Kumar, a materials scientist with over 20 years of experience, will lead the development of manufacturing operations under Space Forge’s U.S. subsidiary. This initiative supports both terrestrial and in-space growth of semiconductor substrates, as announced by the company on April 10.

This strategic move aligns with the U.S.’s increasing efforts to lessen its dependence on foreign chips, driven by supply chain disruptions, national security concerns, and rising trade tensions, particularly with China.

The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted in 2022, is investing billions to bring advanced semiconductor production back to the U.S. and foster domestic innovation.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring in-space manufacturing of advanced semiconductor materials,” Kumar stated. “We also plan to establish a terrestrial capability and post-processing facility in the U.S. to supply high-quality semiconductor substrates.”

Space Forge aims to leverage space conditions—such as microgravity, vacuum, and extreme temperature gradients—to produce materials with superior crystal quality. “This could enable a range of new and emerging applications in radio frequency, power, photonics, and potentially quantum computing,” Kumar added. “We see ourselves as a material supplier enabling applications previously considered difficult or impossible on Earth.”

Space Forge plans to demonstrate its in-space manufacturing capabilities later this year with ForgeStar-1, a spacecraft designed to test reentry technologies. Although this mission is intended to burn up in the atmosphere, it marks a significant step forward.

The company’s first spacecraft, ForgeStar-0, was lost during a failed Virgin Orbit launch from the U.K. in January 2023. A follow-up mission was planned for later that year but was delayed for undisclosed reasons.

Michelle Flemming, leading Space Forge’s U.S. expansion, mentioned that the company plans two parabolic flights this year, starting in May, to test technology aboard an aircraft simulating microgravity.

Kumar noted that the venture could begin selling products developed under sub-orbital conditions within a few years. “It may not fully benefit from low Earth orbit manufacturing, but we see it as a stepping stone,” he said.

In 2021, Space Forge raised $10.2 million to advance its in-space manufacturing business, which also aims to produce high-performance alloys, ultra-pure optical fibers, and advanced coatings for next-generation technologies.