The Next Industrial Revolution: Why It’s Launching Above the Earth’s Surface
For decades, the space race was about exploration, scientific discovery, and pushing the boundaries of human achievement. But what if the next great leap isn’t just about where we go, but what we make? William Bruey, founder and CEO of Varda Space Industries, believes the future of manufacturing lies not in factories on Earth, but in orbit around it. And he’s not just talking about it—he’s building it, one satellite at a time.
At the heart of Bruey’s vision is a simple yet radical idea: space isn’t just for exploration—it’s for revenue. While many still associate space with rockets and robots, Bruey is pioneering a new frontier where the microgravity of low Earth orbit becomes a tool for creating materials that can’t be produced anywhere else. Imagine lifesaving pharmaceuticals, ultra-powerful fiber optic cables, and other breakthrough products that could redefine industries back on Earth. For Bruey, the factory of the future isn’t on a factory floor—it’s in orbit.
Bruey isn’t just a visionary; he’s a builder. Before founding Varda Space Industries, he spent years as a SpaceX engineer, helping to fly the Dragon spacecraft on eight missions to the International Space Station. That experience taught him the logistics, challenges, and opportunities of working in space. Now, he’s applying that expertise to create something entirely new: a production line in space.
Here’s how it works. Varda’s satellites are designed to manufacture high-value materials in the microgravity environment of low Earth orbit. Once production is complete, the satellites reenter Earth’s atmosphere, bringing their cargo safely back for distribution. The process is as complex as it is revolutionary, but the potential payoff is enormous. Materials made in microgravity often exhibit unique properties that can’t be replicated on Earth. For example, certain pharmaceuticals can crystallize into more effective forms in space, and fiber optic cables can be produced without the impurities that limit their performance on Earth.
This isn’t just a space story—it’s a startup story. Bruey’s journey from engineering at SpaceX to founding Varda is a testament to the power of vision, physics, and venture capital colliding. Like many entrepreneurs, he’s driven by the belief that the next big thing isn’t just an incremental improvement—it’s a transformation. And his audience isn’t just space enthusiasts; it’s anyone who cares about the future of manufacturing, materials science, or innovation.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Bruey will take the Space Stage to share his insights on how space is becoming the ultimate manufacturing frontier. He’ll dive into the challenges of building in orbit, the opportunities that microgravity presents, and why he believes space may soon be the most profitable real estate in the universe. But he’s not alone. The event will feature more than 250 speakers and 200 sessions, covering everything from AI and clean tech to fintech and, of course, space.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. As industries on Earth face increasing pressure to innovate, the limitations of terrestrial manufacturing are becoming more apparent. Space offers a blank slate—a chance to rethink how we make things, what we make, and where. It’s not just about scaling up production; it’s about unlocking possibilities that were previously unimaginable.
Of course, building factories in space isn’t without its challenges. The cost of launching materials into orbit is high, and the technical complexities of manufacturing in microgravity are significant. But Bruey and his team at Varda are already proving that it’s possible. And as the technology improves, the economics will follow. Space-based manufacturing could become not just a niche industry, but a cornerstone of the global economy.
For those who doubt the potential of space-based manufacturing, consider this: the Industrial Revolution didn’t start with factories stretching across continents. It started with innovators like Bruey, who saw an opportunity to transform how things are made. The first factories on Earth were small, expensive, and often inefficient, but they laid the groundwork for the modern economy. The same is happening in space today.
The next industrial revolution may not look like the last one. It may not involve smokestacks, assembly lines, or even physical products as we know them. Instead, it could be defined by satellites, microgravity, and materials that change the game. And if Bruey is right, the most exciting innovations may not come from Silicon Valley or Shanghai, but from low Earth orbit.
So why should you care? Because the future of manufacturing is being written in the stars, and the opportunities it presents are limitless. Whether you’re an investor, an entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to understand the next big thing, the space economy is worth watching. And if you’re lucky enough to attend TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, you’ll get a front-row seat to see visionaries like Bruey in action.
The next chapter of the space economy is being written right now, and it’s not just about rockets or robots. It’s about factories, materials, and the inevitable collision of physics and profit. And if Bruey is right, the most valuable real estate in the universe isn’t on Earth—it’s in orbit.
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