Axiom Space and Resonac Corporation (“Resonac”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the research, development and manufacturing of high-performance semiconductor materials in the environment of space.
This collaboration paves the way toward leveraging microgravity to advance next-generation chip technologies and accelerate the in-space manufacturing market.
Under the agreement, Axiom Space and Resonac will explore the potential of microgravity and LEO vacuum conditions to produce next-generation semiconductor materials for critical semiconductor applications and chip packaging. The absence of convection and sedimentation in the microgravity environment provides the opportunity to grow defect-free semiconductor bulk crystals, resins and 2D materials. The companies plan to leverage the International Space Station, Axiom Space’s orbital platforms, and the future Axiom Station to advance from proof-of-concept to commercially viable scale manufacturing.
Under this MOU, Resonac also plans to extend its current work with Axiom Space where Resonac is developing molding compounds that can reduce soft errors when semiconductor devices are exposed to space radiation. Soft errors are caused when cosmic rays enter a transistor, and electrons are thrown away causing the bits to become inverted. To solve this challenge, Resonac is testing simple devices fabricated with various compositions of molding material in the external and internal environment of the International Space Station.
Axiom Space and Resonac’s alliance is poised to shape the future of space-enabled manufacturing, laying the groundwork for scalable orbital production and cutting-edge semiconductor technologies that benefit industries both on Earth and beyond.
The unique environment of space offers immense potential for advancing semiconductor materials, especially in crystal growth,” said Masato Fukushima, Resonac Chief Technology Officer. “Partnering with Axiom Space, we aim to accelerate experiments and drive innovation in materials, fostering industrial growth and societal progress.”
Our collaboration with Resonac underscores how Axiom Space is enabling global corporations from around the world to leverage space to drive manufacturing innovation across critical technology sectors such as semiconductors,” said Koichi Wakata, Axiom Space Astronaut and Chief Technology Officer.
Divya Panchanathan, Global Lead for In-Space Semiconductor Commercialization at Axiom Space, said, “Space offers pristine conditions to unlock material properties that can’t be replicated on Earth, and with Resonac’s strong semiconductor materials expertise, we aim to fuel in-space innovations and enable new technologies to drive industrialization in low-Earth orbit.”
