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This Indium Antimonide crystal sample was produced in a materials processing experiment aboard Skylab, a U.S. space station occupied by astronauts in 1973-1974. A scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed experiment M562 to investigate the influence of weightlessness on the production of doped semiconductor crystals. The experiment was conducted in Skylab's Multipurpose Electric Furnace System. Analysis after the mission showed that the crystal formed in space had more uniform structural and electrical properties than crystals formed on Earth. This crystal sample was presented to President Gerald R. Ford and then transferred to the Museum.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Space Science at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Space Science
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Experiment Specimen Manufacturer Unknown
 Dimensions 3-D: 12.7 x 12.7 x 15.2cm (5 x 5 x 6 in.)
 Materials Crystal: Indium Antimonide
Case: Plastic and metal
 Inventory Number A19760043000 Credit Line Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.