Two distinct sets of integrated photonic chips developed and manufactured using the AIM Photonics platform are undergoing evaluation under space conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE), marking a major step in testing how light-based technologies perform outside Earth’s atmosphere.
In separate experiments, teams from NLM Photonics and the University of Florida are exploring how photonic devices can withstand the extreme conditions of space, including radiation exposure and rapid temperature changes, and what that means for the future of space-based applications in communications, sensing and advanced computing.
For AIM Photonics, this achievement underscores its role in enabling advanced research and development in integrated photonics technology. It demonstrates how the Institute’s capabilities provide the means to test, validate and scale new materials and applications that will expand the reach of photonics into new environments.