"Advancements in In-Space Glass Fabrication and Fiber Optic Research"
Flawless Photonics has successfully produced over 5 kilometers of ZBLAN optical fiber on the International Space Station, a feat that has eluded other companies attempting to manufacture fluoride glass in microgravity. This achievement has significant implications for energy savings and national security, as ZBLAN's improved transparency could revolutionize undersea communications cables. The European Space Agency and Luxembourg Space Agency funded Flawless Photonics' machine for drawing optical fiber in space, and NASA plans to study the quality and composition of the fibers upon their return to Earth in April. The company's next step is to manufacture preforms in space, leveraging microgravity to continue improving their products.