Mission Update: Pioneering Advanced Manufacturing for Earth and Beyond

At SpaceFactory, our ongoing mission is to revolutionize manufacturing and construction—both on Earth and in outer space. We are at the forefront of developing advanced manufacturing systems that not only promise to be the first to build on the Moon and beyond but also innovate sustainable practices on Earth. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and discoveries from our space endeavors, we are paving the way for a new era of manufacturing that combines ecological responsibility with technological advancement. Every day, we work tirelessly to lay the foundations of humanity’s future, striving to merge the realms of extraterrestrial construction and terrestrial innovation in our quest to build a better world.

Lunar Inroads

In a milestone in space construction technology, SpaceFactory and Michigan Technological University (MTU) successfully built and tested the first-ever lunar 'road' in a simulated space environment, replicating the dusty vacuum conditions of the moon. This pioneering project not only demonstrates the viability of constructing durable infrastructure on the lunar surface but also underscores the powerful synergy between the private sector and academic institutions in advancing space technology.

Starforge Lands at COMET Center

At the vanguard of the Collaborative Operationalized Manufacturing Engineering and Training (COMET) Center—a 20,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing hub—SpaceFactory’s Starforge large format additive system is positioned to train a next-generation workforce at the convergence of industry, academia, and defense.

Lunar 3D Printing Milestone Achieved

In a historic first, SpaceFactory and NASA Kennedy Space Center partnered to perform the first-ever 3D printing in a freezing vacuum, emulating the harsh conditions found at the Moon’s south pole. This initiative successfully demonstrated 3D printing technology at the extreme temperature of -200°C using a lunar simulant and biopolymer matrix. The experiment validates the feasibility of constructing with lunar resources in such extreme environments, paving the way for future lunar habitats and infrastructure.

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Reflecting on Our Roots: The NASA Centennial Challenge

SpaceFactory's journey began as a bold venture into the uncharted territories of large-scale additive manufacturing and extraplanetary construction with our groundbreaking project, 'MARSHA' (Mars Habitat). As a small startup, we dove head-first into the NASA Centennial Challenge, pioneering the use of a composite basalt-fiber and biopolymer to 3D print habitats designed for Mars. Winning this challenge was just the beginning.