NASA tested this idea in the 70s but startups are now making it big business

An idea that NASA tested in the 1970s might now be something that startups are turning into big business.

Over 50 years ago, NASA started to explore the possibility of manufacturing in space, and it went as far as to test the idea.

But it is only now, in 2025, that thanks to startups, this idea might suddenly become mainstream.

At the forefront of this is an American company based in California called Astral Materials, with CEO Jessica Fricj recently discussing the idea.

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What has brought this idea into the realms of possibility again are advancements in technology and the reduction in launch costs.

The correct terminology for this would be the production of materials in microgravity environments.

One of the added benefits of this is that, without gravity, materials can be processed with few imperfections.

That, in turn then leads to higher-quality products.

Companies that are investing in this say it is very beneficial for producing semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials.

California-based Astral Materials is a startup at the forefront of this design process.

CEO of the company Jessica Frick has said that they are developing compact furnaces which should be able to operate above the earth.

These will, in theory, be able to operate in temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius, or 2,700 Fahrenheit.

Frick herself said that “We’re building a box that makes money in space.”​

While they are at the forefront, Astral Materials isn’t the only company pursuing space manufacturing.

Redwire, a Florida-based company, is taking this a step further and looking to construct human organs in space.

Mike Gold, President of Civil and International Space Business at Redwire, explained why.

“When you shut off gravity, you’re able to fabricate something like an organ,” he said.

If you try to do this on Earth, it would be squished.”

UK-based Space Forge is also looking at manufacturing products in space.

Like others, they are pursuing the semiconductor route.

If the feasibility of projects like this increases, we may well see more companies head to the stars for manufacturing.

Given this was once thought to be nearly impossible, it’s remarkable to see it becoming a reality.

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