{"id":635620,"date":"2024-03-25T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=635620"},"modified":"2024-04-01T14:14:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T18:14:47","slug":"optical-fiber-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/iss-research\/optical-fiber-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Optical Fiber Production"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Science in Space: March 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Optical fibers are used on Earth and in space for applications in medicine, defense, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. Parabolic research showed that optical fibers produced in microgravity can be higher quality than those made in normal gravity, and the International Space Station provides a potential platform for commercial production of these fibers. The Production of Flawless Space Fiber (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/investigation\/?#id=8850\">Flawless Space Fibers-1<\/a>) investigation is using the space station to demonstrate new manufacturing technology developed by Flawless Photonics to improve the quality and length of optical fiber produced in space.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"O\u2019Hara, wearing a dark blue sleeveless t-shirt, smiles at the camera. Her right hand is touching the front of a large silver box built into a wall, with lights above it and a clear panel that reveals part of a circular sample holder that resembles an old film reel. There is a panel of switches below her hand and several large cameras on the wall behind her.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=300&h=200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=768&h=512&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1024&h=683&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1024&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=400&h=267&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=600&h=400&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=900&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e110532\/iss070e110532~large.jpg?w=1200&h=800&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara conducting Flawless Space Fibers operations in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG).<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Preliminary results have been promising. From mid-February to mid-March, the investigation manufactured a total of more than seven miles (11.9 km) of optical fiber. Eight of the runs (called draws) produced more than 2,200 feet (700 meters) of fiber, demonstrating that the results are repeatable. The investigation also drew more than 3,700 feet (1141 meters) in one day, surpassing the prior record of 82 feet (25 meters) for the longest fiber manufactured in space. Seven of the draws exceeded 2,296 feet (700 meters), demonstrating for the first time that commercial lengths of fiber can be produced in space. The space-drawn fibers are set to return to Earth soon for analysis of their quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These fibers are made using ZBLAN, a glass alloy made of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum fluorides, each with different densities and crystallization temperatures. Its unique properties allow light to travel through a fiber over a broader range, providing more than ten times the capacity of traditional silica-based fibers and transmitting considerably more data over the same length of fiber. If fibers can be made long enough and of high enough quality, the increased efficiency of ZBLAN could translate into significant energy savings by reducing the need to boost the signal on long-distance transmissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when ZBLAN is drawn into fibers on the ground, crystals form that scatter signals and make the fiber brittle. Because crystals grow more slowly in microgravity, the approach is to cool drawn fibers before crystals have a chance to form. Microgravity also counters effects of sedimentation, convection, and buoyancy that limit the length and quality of fibers drawn on Earth. Manufacturers use drop towers to manufacture ZBLAN on Earth, but in-space manufacturing provides much more time to draw longer and eventually better fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1360\" height=\"816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?w=1360\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"This top image shows a highly magnified fiber with a surface covered in multiple flakes and bumps.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png 1360w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=768,461 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=1024,614 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=400,240 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=600,360 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=900,540 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_1.png?resize=1200,720 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1360px) 100vw, 1360px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1360\" height=\"968\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?w=1360\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The bottom image is a fiber with a much smoother surface. Both images are black and white. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png 1360w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=300,214 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=768,547 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=1024,729 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=400,285 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=600,427 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=900,641 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/zblan_2.png?resize=1200,854 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1360px) 100vw, 1360px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Scanning electron microscope images of ZBLAN fibers pulled in microgravity (bottom) and on Earth (top) show the crystallization that occurs in ground-based processing.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Flawless Space Fibers investigation is sponsored by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.issnationallab.org\/exotic-glass-fibers-from-space-the-race-to-manufacture-zblan\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ISS National Laboratory<\/a> and involves support from the  Luxembourg Space Agency, University of Adelaide in Australia, and NASA\u2019s InSpace Production Applications (InSPA). InSPA advances sustainable, scalable, and profitable in-space manufacturing in low Earth orbit, working with the ISS National Lab to provide companies with access to the space station for demonstrating production of advanced materials and products for terrestrial applications. Flawless Space Fibers has achieved three of four goals for ZBLAN set by InSPA, including achieving 20 meters on a single run, repeating that amount on a separate draw, and scaling up to runs of commercial length. The analysis of fibers after return to ground is needed to determine whether the investigation meets InSPA\u2019s fourth goal, producing fiber of ten times greater quality than on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Results may help reduce gravity-induced defects in optical glass products developed on Earth and advance in-space manufacturing models. The investigation also opens the door to creating other valuable specialty fibers in space.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Kanai wears a dark blue short-sleeved t-shirt, a wristwatch, and a headlamp. He is smiling at the camera and gesturing toward hardware that has two microwave oven-sized sections, one above the other. The top one is white and is labeled \u201cMade in Space Fiber Optics\u201d and the other has a clear door and a large red handle. There are multiple cables and connectors around the hardware.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Norishige Kanai with the Made in Space fiber optics hardware.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA conducted early work processing ZBLAN in microgravity through Marshall Space Flight Center in the 1990s and early 2000s. Development of ZBLAN manufacturing on the space station began in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other investigations that examined manufacturing ZBLAN optic fibers in microgravity include Optical Fiber Production in Microgravity (<strong>Made In Space Fiber Optics<\/strong>), which conducted the first privately funded ZBLAN fiber draw, <strong>Fiber Optic Production<\/strong>, and Fiber Optic Production-2 (<strong>FOP-2<\/strong>), which first demonstrated repeated production of 20-meter lengths of fiber in microgravity. Another investigation, Fiber Optics Manufacturing in Space (<strong>Space Fibers<\/strong>), developed by FOMS Inc, first demonstrated a fully operational space facility for fiber manufacturing.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These efforts support commercial development of space and low Earth orbit and offer opportunities for development of next-generation technologies in space for applications on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist<br>Expedition 70<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Search <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/\"><strong><em>this database<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em> of scientific experiments to learn more about those mentioned above.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Citations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>1 <\/sup>Starodubov D, McCormick K, Dellosa M, Erdelyi E, Volfson L. Facility for orbital material processing. Sensors and Systems for Space Applications XI, Orlando, Florida. 2018 May 2; 10641106410T. DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1117\/12.2305830\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10.1117\/12.2305830.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/latest-news-from-space-station-research\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Latest News from Space Station Research<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/iss-national-laboratory\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>ISS National Laboratory<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/issnl-logo-white-digitalquality-blkbkgrnd.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/in-space-production-applications\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>In Space Production Applications<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"358\" height=\"336\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/crystals_jsc2021e010285_0.jpg?w=358\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); 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Parabolic research showed that optical fibers produced in microgravity can be higher quality than those made in normal gravity, and the International Space Station provides a potential platform for commercial production of these [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":149538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11285,2656,2735,2861],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[8610],"coauthors":[12389],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Optical Fiber Production","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/iss-research\/optical-fiber-production\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/iss-research\/optical-fiber-production\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Love"}],"creator":["John Love"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Johnson Space Center","ISS Research","Humans in Space","International Space Station (ISS)"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-25T15:30:00Z","datePublished":"2024-03-25T15:30:00Z","dateModified":"2024-04-01T18:14:47Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Optical Fiber Production\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/iss-research\/optical-fiber-production\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-03-25T15:30:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Johnson Space Center,ISS Research,Humans in Space,International Space Station (ISS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Love\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"3 months","featured_image":{"id":149538,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig.png","title":"leoe_ism_iss054e005575_orig","alt":"image of an astronaut posing next to 3D printer aboard the space station","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/635620"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=635620"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/635620\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":636543,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/635620\/revisions\/636543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=635620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=635620"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=635620"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=635620"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=635620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}