In a payload sponsored by the ISS National Lab, FOMS, Inc. is focusing on the production of ZBLAN optical fibers aboard the space station. Fluoride-based optical fiber drawn in a microgravity environment has fewer imperfections (undesired crystallites) and has shown substantial improvement in physical properties compared with glass fiber fabricated on the ground. Advancements in optical fiber production could lead to enhanced bandwidth and data transfer capabilities through cellular and internet providers. Experiments like this will pave the way for manufacturing commercial products in a microgravity environment that are ultimately sold to customers on Earth.
