Axiom Space, Nitride Global team up on space-based semiconductor manufacturing

Axiom Space and Nitride Global signed a memorandum of understanding to advance research on ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials in space. The partnership aims to move from proof-of-concept work on the International Space Station to commercial-scale manufacturing on future orbital platforms, including Axiom Station.

Why it matters: - The collaboration targets semiconductor materials that could improve next-generation power electronics for terrestrial and space uses. - The agreement could help build a domestic supply chain for aluminum nitride and related advanced packaging materials. - The work adds momentum to commercial manufacturing in low-Earth orbit.

What happened: - Axiom Space and Nitride Global signed a memorandum of understanding as strategic research collaborators. - The agreement was announced on November 10, 2026, in Houston. - The companies will work on research and development for in-space manufacturing of ultrawide band gap materials.

The details: - The collaboration covers aluminum nitride, or AlN, and aluminum oxynitride, or AlON. - The partners will design and build manufacturing hardware for in-space production of those materials. - The companies will conduct proof-of-concept studies aboard the International Space Station and Axiom Missions. - The companies will collaborate toward commercial-scale manufacturing on Axiom Station and other orbital platforms. - Axiom Space Chief Science Officer Dr. Lucie Low said the deal reflects growing commercial interest in producing advanced semiconductor materials in space. - Dr. Low said Nitride Global’s AlN crystal growth and advanced packaging capabilities pair with Axiom Space’s orbital infrastructure and mission integration. - Nitride Global CEO Mahyar Khosravi said the MOU expands on a partnership that began through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research work on AlN growth in space. - Khosravi said the partnership will aim to deliver a platform for commercially viable manufacturing of UWBG materials for semiconductor and microelectronics uses in terrestrial and planetary exploration. - The companies said the collaboration builds on ongoing joint research in AlN growth in microgravity. - Axiom Space, Nitride Global and NASA Ames Research Center recently started a joint project under the 2025-2026 NASA Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity award. - The NASA-backed project focuses on multiscale modeling of AlN crystal growth and microgravity effects on that process. - Axiom Space said Axiom Station will provide businesses and researchers a platform for growth and development of UWBG and advanced packaging materials in space. - The companies said Nitride Global is the only domestically owned entity in the AlN space. - The partnership is intended to support a fully domestic and differentiated supply chain for AlN, UWBG semiconductors and related packaging materials.

Between the lines: - The deal signals that in-space manufacturing is moving from a research concept toward a commercial platform. - The involvement of NASA Ames and an active NASA award suggests the work already has a public-sector research base. - The supply-chain language points to a broader U.S. industrial-policy angle beyond space manufacturing alone.

What's next: - The partners will move ahead with hardware design and proof-of-concept testing. - The next milestone is likely additional work on ISS-based demonstrations and Axiom missions. - Longer term, the companies are aiming for commercial-scale production on Axiom Station and other orbital platforms. - The partnership could also broaden as the research program moves from modeling to manufacturing demonstrations.

The bottom line: - Axiom Space and Nitride Global are trying to turn microgravity materials research into a commercial semiconductor manufacturing pipeline in orbit.