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LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 10, 2025) – Space Tango, a leader in automated systems and infrastructure for microgravity research and manufacturing, is proud to announce its role in designing, building, and operating a microgravity optimized layer-by-layer deposition device for LambdaVision’s recently awarded NASA Phase 2 In Space Production Applications (InSPA) award.
This award enables LambdaVision to further its microgravity manufacturing processes for protein-based artificial retina, with Space Tango providing specialized hardware platforms and operational guidance to scale production in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Together, this collaboration is paving the way toward future clinical trials that could restore vision for patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
“Space Tango is honored to continue our work with LambdaVision’s progress in developing the first protein-based artificial retina,” said Twyman Clements, President of Space Tango. “Having already partnered across 9 flights to the International Space Station, this award builds on our team’s collaboration over those flights and sets the stage for solving real-world problems in orbit. Our role in this project exemplifies our mission to enable groundbreaking science and manufacturing in space while building a robust commercial LEO economy.”
“We are excited to continue working with Space Tango as we expand production of our protein-based artificial retina in microgravity,” said Nicole Wagner, Ph.D., CEO of LambdaVision. “This next phase allows us to refine our manufacturing process further, and Space Tango’s expertise in hardware and operations is essential to our ability to scale production in low-Earth orbit and ultimately bring this transformative therapeutic to patients on Earth.”
The microgravity environment aboard the ISS and future LEO destinations allows for improved homogeneity, stability, and performance of protein-based thin films. Space Tango’s proven flight heritage of more than 290 investigations provides the foundation for LambdaVision to optimize its artificial retina production, improving quality, scale, and FDA-compliant Good Manufacturing Practices both in space and on Earth.
The InSPA program supports U.S. companies advancing the commercial production of high-value materials and products in space. By combining LambdaVision’s pioneering biomedical innovation with Space Tango’s proven engineering and operations expertise, this award highlights the transformative potential of space-based manufacturing to address critical human health challenges while strengthening the growing LEO economy.
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About Space Tango
Space Tango designs and operates automated systems for research and manufacturing in microgravity. With a proven flight heritage of more than 290 payloads delivered to the International Space Station and other platforms, Space Tango enables scalable science and commercial production in orbit. The company’s hardware and software solutions are built to simplify operations, reduce crew time, and accelerate discovery in space. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Space Tango partners with government agencies, research institutions, and commercial organizations worldwide to harness the unique environment of low-Earth orbit for advancements in biotechnology, materials science, and manufacturing that improve life on Earth. To learn more, visit spacetango.com.
About LambdaVision
LambdaVision is leveraging space to develop a protein-based artificial retina to restore meaningful vision for the millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The patent-protected artificial retina technology developed by LambdaVision uses photoactive proteins to naturally mimic the light-absorbing properties of human photoreceptor cells and activate neuroreceptors still present in degenerated retinas of blind patients. LambdaVision’s artificial retina is one of the first technologies being evaluated on the International Space Station that has potential for clinical use, and the established microgravity manufacturing processes, quality control methods, and laboratory techniques provide a foundation for future clinical research in space. To learn more, visit lambdavision.com.