Marketplace Tech What it takes to bring manufacturing to space
May 15, 2025
Jonathan O'Callaghan, a freelance journalist for Wired specializing in space manufacturing, dives into the intriguing world of off-world production. He highlights the unique advantages of microgravity for creating sophisticated items like semiconductors and even human organs. O'Callaghan discusses the potential for lunar resource utilization and asteroid mining, as well as groundbreaking developments in biomedical engineering occurring aboard the International Space Station. He paints a compelling picture of how space technology could transform manufacturing and healthcare.
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Microgravity Benefits Semiconductor Growth
- Microgravity in space enables the growth of purer semiconductor crystals than on Earth.
- This leads to higher efficiency chips, potentially improving electronics like phones and computers.
Lower Costs and Return Capsules Spark Boom
- Lower launch costs and reusable rockets make space manufacturing more feasible now.
- Capsules designed to return manufactured goods from space enable new commercial opportunities.
Current Space Manufacturing Focus
- Semiconductor crystal growth is the leading space manufacturing focus today.
- Drug component crystals are also grown in space for improved treatment development on Earth.