– Space Forge has opened a new office on the island of Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal, establishing a satellite return location in mainland Europe.

– This is the first step in wider European expansion plans, which include R&D around future platform architectures and the development of  European semiconductor manufacturing plants.


In-space manufacturing pioneers Space Forge has today announced the opening of a new office in Portugal, on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores - establishing a satellite return location in mainland Europe and marking the beginning of its wider European expansion.

This expansion follows the company’s record-breaking £22.6 million ($30 million) Series A round – the largest Series A secured by a UK space tech company – backed by the NATO Innovation Fund, World Fund, NSSIF and the British Business Bank. It signals Space Forge’s ambitions to scale up European operations in alignment with its vision for a clean industrial revolution powered by in-space manufacturing.

The new location supports the development of a scalable return infrastructure across the continent and will be central to the company’s ambitions to make space a viable platform for industrial-scale manufacturing of advanced materials. Its location in the Azores – whose geographic positioning makes them an ideal return location for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions – creates new opportunities for high-frequency satellite return operations and regional partnerships.

Space Forge will work in partnership with the Azores’ regional government to bring its Portuguese facilities online – the first step in broader plans that include R&D into future platform architectures and the development of one (or multiple) European manufacturing sites for next-generation semiconductors using seed crystals forged in space.

This move builds on Space Forge’s growing global momentum, with the ForgeStar®-1 integration already complete in the U.S. and the next-gen ForgeStar®-2 in active development. The company’s first in-orbit demonstration mission – The Forge Awakens – is slated for launch in 2025.

Joshua Western, CEO and Co-Founder, Space Forge, said: "Opening our Portugal office gives us a base in the European Union, unlocks new partnerships, and puts us closer to the ideal return site in the Azores. With our Series A backing us, we’re scaling up fast – and Portugal’s forward-thinking attitude, strategic position, and commitment to space innovation make it the perfect place to grow."

Lisa Bandari, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal and Cape Verde said, "We are proud to see Space Forge, a pioneering UK company, establishing a presence in Portugal. This investment is a testament to the strength of the UK-Portugal partnership in innovation and space technology. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable, cutting-edge solutions that benefit both our economies and the wider world. We look forward to seeing the remarkable achievements that will emerge from this collaboration."

As Space Forge accelerates its European expansion, the company continues to cement its role as a global leader in in-space manufacturing and sustainable space tech. With one of the largest investments ever made into a UK space company now powering its next chapter, Space Forge’s presence in Portugal signals a bold step towards building a resilient, international space infrastructure – with real-world benefits delivered back to Earth.

‍