Why go to space to make semiconductors?

Despite the ubiquity of antigravity devices in sci-fi, videogames, and ‘Rick and Morty’ episodes, the fact is, replicating a microgravity environment on Earth is currently impossible. Creating a microgravity environment in the lab would be a technological feat orders of magnitude above all the human engineering/technology accomplishments combined. So at least 4-6 weeks out.

What are the advantages to manufacturing semiconductors in space?

There are so many advantages to manufacturing certain materials, such as semiconductors, in microgravity that it is impossible to tackle in a post or even a series of posts but here, we overview some of the key reasons. And sadly, while we may never experience a “Space Hotel” in our lifetime, you can absolutely bet your boots there will be automated manufacturing factories in space in the not so distance future.

Wait.. we’ve been hearing about space tourism and space hotels for decades? Why wouldn’t that happen in our lifetime? Excellent idea for the next article! For now, the short answer is: robots, on the whole, eat considerably less fried, fatty foods than vacationing humans do and by and large, they are far less litigious than their human counterparts when something goes wrong (and things frequently go wrong in space). To date, few robots have responded to those “Hurt on the job? Better call Saul!” park bench ads. However, we can’t rule out that this is merely because robots have little exposure to those park bench ads. Who knows, maybe they respond more voraciously to advertising? (Note: another excellent idea for an article, “Do Robots Dream of Electric Madmen?”)

To the business mobile and time to get serious… ???

One of the most compelling advantages of manufacturing semiconductors in space is that unlike on Earth, where gravitational forces introduce unwanted defects and impurities during the manufacturing process, the microgravity environment of space provides nearly pristine conditions for semiconductor fabrication. Crystal growth can occur more uniformly without the constraints of gravity, resulting in higher-quality materials with superior electrical properties.

Contamination also poses a significant challenge as even minuscule impurities can jeopardize device functionality. In terrestrial fabrication, maintaining cleanroom environments and stringent contamination control measures are essential. Unfortunately, achieving this level of purity is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. These efforts sometimes fall short as a result. The vacuum of space on the other hand, eliminates many sources of contamination, such as airborne particles and chemical residues. The unparalleled level of cleanliness that can be achieved in space can substantially increase product quality and dramatically reduce production costs.

Before we dig a little further into the advantages of manufacturing in space, we should point out (and yes, I am guilty of it) that microgravity is not the same as zero gravity. These terms are often times used interchangeably in discussions about manufacturing pharmaceuticals or semiconductors or watching astronauts float around the space station. But actually, the gravitational force we experience on Earth’s surface are a “g” whereas the conditions experienced on the International Space Station or satellites in LEO have that cool little "μ" in front of the “g” to denote “micro”. Zero gravity is the complete absence of gravity. Not even a sprinkle or a pinch of it.

Sedimentation and buoyancy or “sink or swim” on Earth, does not matter in microgravity. Mixtures of substances will not settle out by density in microgravity, they will distribute more uniformly throughout. Thie allows for improved materials structure and greater precision and a higher quality part.

The absence of convection is another key advantage. On Earth, when heating a liquid for example, the parts closest to the heat source gain energy, become less dense and rise to the top. The cycle repeats as the cooler liquid on top falls and the now warmer liquid on the bottom rises. This process is eliminated in microgravity.

There is no hydrostatic pressure in microgravity. Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure of a fluid in a combined space due to the weight of itself. (How much of itself is on top of itself). This force is dependent on gravity and therefore weakened in microgravity. This allows for more precise placement of materials and more precise/uniform crystal formation.

You can’t control it, you can only try to contain it! While that applies to peak Wayne Gretzky and liquids on Earth, in space, there is no need for things to be confined in containers, which can eliminate contamination issues and size limitations. (Scientists have yet to study how to contain an in-his-prime Gretzky, which is what originally saddled them as being “stick in the muds” even though scientists are some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet).

While high-capacity mass manufacturing of semiconductors in microgravity will require significant in-space infrastructure. Small Satellites can be used now to produce high-quality semiconductor materials and batch samples worth their weight in gold. In fact, more than gold. Semiconductors and associated materials manufactured in space offer an asymmetrical competitive advantage.

How can we use Small Satellites to manufacture semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and other incredible materials in space? I could tell you, but then I’d have to… sell you a reasonably priced satellite bus (or constellation) capable of carrying out the task and making your wildest dreams come true. I know a guy, who knows a guy. If you have the technology, they can combine and package the robotics and automation into a satellite or several satellites to carry out the mission.