United Semiconductors Mission 3 Semiconductor Crystal Payload for Quantum Technologies Arrives at the ISS Onboard SpX-34

With the arrival of the SpaceX-34 (SpX-34) commercial resupply mission at the International Space Station (ISS), yet another critical milestone was made by United Semiconductors LLC (USLLC). On-board the SpX-34, USLLC’s mission 3 payloads consist of precursors for bulk crystal growth of Semi-Insulating Semiconductors (SIS µg ) and Semiconductor Alloys (SA) under microgravity conditions. The significant outcomes of microgravity grown semimetal-semiconductor composite (SSC µg ) in mission 1 investigation and the extensive experience from production hardware and process design for mission 1 and mission 2, prompted USLLC to design mission 3 with unique classes of semiconductor materials that are much needed for quantum electronics and optoelectronic applications. The NASA funded SUBSA-InSPA-SIS µg enables the use of space-grown SIS and SA crystals to fabricate quantum semiconductor devices, high-sensitivity optical sensors, laser protection optics, and low-power, high-speed electronics for aerospace and space systems, including radiation-hardened electronics and space surveillance technologies. It also demonstrates a scalable in-space crystal growth process that supports future large-scale semiconductor manufacturing in orbit. The project is supported by NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s In-Space Production Applications (InSPA) program under Contract No. 80JSC022CA005, managed by Mr. Kevin Engelbert, InSPA Portfolio Manager, NASA/JSC. Implementation partners for this investigation are CSS Inc. and Redwire Space Technologies Inc.