Intuitive Machines Partners with Space Forge to Enable U.S. Space-Based Semiconductor Manufacturing

Intuitive Machines, a leading space technology, infrastructure, and services company, today announced the expansion of its Earth Reentry Program, welcoming Space Forge, a recognized leader in space semiconductor manufacturing, as a commercial partner.

This effort is supported by a development grant from the Texas Space Commission’s Space Exploration and Research Fund. Intuitive Machines is using the grant to design and prototype a reentry vehicle tailored to meet real-world commercial use cases that support Texas economic development, job creation, and foster progressive space policies that encourage innovation and commercial space leadership. Space Forge joins biomanufacturing leader Rhodium Scientific, America’s first commercial space biotech company, as part of a growing coalition of advanced manufacturers working directly with Intuitive Machines to define and inform its next-generation Earth reentry vehicle design.

The 12-month Phase One effort includes spacecraft development through the Critical Design Review and construction of a full-scale ground mockup. These milestones are designed to create a roadmap to commercial flight-readiness and support future Intuitive Machines lunar sample return efforts.  

Commercial Use Cases Driving Engineering

Intuitive Machines’ design philosophy is grounded in commercial integration from the outset. Rhodium Scientific and Space Forge are each developing dedicated microgravity payloads for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, respectively. These payloads help shape environmental, safety, and integration requirements for Intuitive Machines’ vehicle and validate its future market fit. 

“Manufacturing semiconductors in space offers significant performance benefits, but realizing that potential requires dependable, repeatable Earth return capability,” said Michelle Flemming, President, Space Forge Inc.  “Joining Intuitive Machines’ Earth reentry effort provides a pathway for our materials science expertise to directly inform the development of a reliable return system. This partnership brings us one step closer toward meeting demand for domestically sourced, high-purity chips—made in orbit and delivered back to Earth with precision.”

Why U.S. Space-Based Manufacturing 

In microgravity, certain materials can be manufactured with greater purity and structural uniformity, resulting in higher-quality products than those produced on Earth. For example, Space Forge intends to produce seed crystals without defects in space. On Earth, Space Forge is capable of expanding space-based seed crystals into wafers and chips without defects propagating, enabling the production of thousands of high-value wafers, compared to the single digits created on Earth. 

These performance improvements have immense implications for the global semiconductor market. Yet, without scalable return logistics, space-based production remains scientifically intriguing but commercially challenging.

“The value of space exploration is in what we’re able to bring back to Earth,” said Intuitive Machines Chief Technology Officer Tim Crain, Ph.D. “Enabling this value at scale requires a routine and reliable Earth return capability. Intuitive Machines is addressing that need head-on with the State of Texas backing our Earth Reentry Program.”  

In today’s evolving geopolitical landscape, Intuitive Machines believes that establishing a reliable, domestic supply of high-purity semiconductors is critical to national security and technological leadership, making space-based manufacturing and Earth return capabilities vital.

Looking Ahead 

The Phase One grant supporting Intuitive Machines’ Earth Reentry Program will culminate with a full-scale ground mockup tailored to real payloads and use cases in early 2026. Intuitive Machines believes that this foundational phase, along with its strategic partnerships, will help pave the way for future projects to bring the reentry system closer to flight readiness.

As Intuitive Machines advances toward orbital return flights, the Company is engaging stakeholders across industry and government. The collaborations with Space Forge and Rhodium Scientific aim to align future landing infrastructure, research opportunities, and funding pathways that deliver lasting economic impact from space.

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