Space Fibers 3 Preflight

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

Optical fibers such as ZBLAN have commercially valuable performance improvements if manufactured in zero gravity. SPF3 ISS payload has several automation concepts which enable volume fiber manufacturing, which should be verified prior to launch on SpX-25.

Benefits

Space Fibers 3 aims to master our ability to manufacture useful things in space to benefit Earth.

Details

Technology area	Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Manufacturing > Electronics and Optics Manufacturing Processes
Program	Flight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organization	FOMS, Inc., San Diego, CA
Start date	2021-08-09
End date	2024-08-09

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Dmitry Starodubov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.