Luxembourg Backs Europe’s First Space Factory with Pharma and Fibre Optics Potential

Luxembourg is stepping up its role in the new era of “space factories,” supporting Space Cargo Unlimited in Foetz to build Europe’s first orbital manufacturing hub. With EU funding and strong national backing, the project aims to produce advanced pharmaceuticals, fibre optics, and high-performance electronics in zero gravity.
Why Space?
Microgravity allows the creation of purer, more efficient products than is possible on Earth. Fibre optics, for instance, can be up to 200 times more effective when made in orbit, with fewer impurities and far better performance.

The Bento Box At the heart of the venture is the “Bento Box,” a compact module that can carry up to 100kg of material. Scheduled for upcoming SpaceX launches, it will enable experiments and the return of finished products such as ultra-pure fibre optics.

Focus on Pharmaceuticals Of the 80+ projects underway, about 40% are linked to the pharma sector. Luxembourg start-ups like ExoBiosphere are among those testing innovations, alongside companies working on advanced fibre optics (Flowless Photonics) and electronic equipment.

Funding & Jobs The project is receiving €12.5 million from the European Innovation Council, contributing to the €27.5 million raised so far. Luxembourg’s Economy Minister, Lex Delles, emphasized that the initiative will create more than 30 jobs in the country while strengthening its growing space ecosystem.

From science fiction to industrial reality, Luxembourg is positioning itself at the core of Europe’s space manufacturing revolution.
Luxembourg Space Agency  

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