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ZBLAN Fiber Microgravity Manufacturing Simulator

Interactive in-space manufacturing simulator: pull ZBLAN optical fiber from two crucibles side by side — one on Earth, one in microgravity — and watch gravity-driven convection freeze density striations into the Earth sample while the orbital sample cools undisturbed, with a live scattering chart tracking both.

Space & Astronomy3DModerate60 FPS💧 Water 🌍 Earth ❄️ Ice & Cold

Two identical crucibles of molten ZBLAN glass are pulled into optical fiber side by side — one under Earth's gravity, one in orbital microgravity. On Earth, buoyancy-driven convection churns the melt and freezes visible density striations into the fiber as it cools; in orbit, with no buoyancy to drive circulation, the melt cools quietly and the fiber solidifies almost perfectly uniform. Toggle between the two crucibles, start the pull, and watch the live scattering chart show exactly why some materials are worth manufacturing off-world.

⚙ Under the hood

Pull ZBLAN optical fiber from two identical crucibles side by side — one on Earth, one in orbital microgravity — and watch why gravity is a manufacturing defect. On Earth, buoyancy-driven convection churns the melt and freezes visible density striations into the fiber as it cools; in orbit, with no buoyancy to drive circulation, the melt cools quietly into a far more uniform glass. A live scattering chart tracks both samples as the fiber is pulled.

in-space manufacturingmicrogravityZBLAN fibercrystal growthmaterials scienceconvectionThree.js3D

3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install