CancelAstroForge
Company Overview
AstroForge, formerly known as Ex Scientia, is based in Huntington Beach, California, USA. The company operates within the industrials sector, focusing on manufacturing and robotics. With a small but dedicated team of 10 members, AstroForge aims to become a pioneer in asteroid mining. They operate primarily in the United States and Canada.
AstroForge Missions in 2023
In 2023, AstroForge launched two significant missions. The first mission in April was a refinery demonstration aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, in partnership with OrbAstro. This mission aimed to validate AstroForge's technology by performing extractions in zero gravity using a spacecraft loaded with asteroid-like material. The second mission in October was a deep space expedition on a SpaceX lunar rideshare with Intuitive Machines. This mission, in partnership with OrbAstro and Dawn Aerospace, aimed to observe a target asteroid in preparation for a future retrieval mission.
Partnerships
AstroForge has developed key partnerships to advance its missions and technology. These partnerships include SpaceX, Intuitive Machines, OrbAstro, and Dawn Aerospace. Collaborative efforts with these organizations enable AstroForge to carry out complex missions such as refinery demonstrations and deep space expeditions.
Funding Milestones
AstroForge has successfully closed a $13 million seed round. This funding is a critical milestone for the company's goal of becoming the first commercial entity to mine an asteroid and bring the materials back to Earth. The capital raised supports technological development and mission execution.
Y-Combinator Involvement
AstroForge was part of the Y-Combinator W22 batch. This involvement with the prestigious startup accelerator provided the company with essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities necessary for early-stage growth and development.
