Redwire Corporation, a leader in space infrastructure, announced the launch of its first pathfinder mission for its autonomous semiconductor manufacturing platform, MSTIC, to the International Space Station (ISS). MSTIC aims to produce advanced semiconductors in microgravity, which could offer superior performance and quality than those made on Earth.
The platform was developed in collaboration with the ISS National Laboratory and NASA, and will launch onboard Northrup Grumman’s 20th cargo resupply services mission (NG-20).
The global semiconductor market, valued at over $600 billion in 2022, faces challenges such as geopolitical risk and complex manufacturing processes. Redwire’s President of In-Space Industries, John Vellinger, said that the company is expanding its space manufacturing capabilities to reach new markets and support U.S. leadership in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
MSTIC is part of Redwire’s portfolio of space biotech and in-space manufacturing capabilities, which includes over 20 facilities for the ISS, with eight currently operating on orbit. The company also plans to open a microgravity payload development facility and mission operations center in Indiana, to support increased production of critical technologies for human spaceflight missions and commercial microgravity research and development in low Earth orbit (LEO).
ON Semiconductor evaluates sale of its manufacturing facility in Japan