Space Pharma

ALL PROJECTS

SpacePharma specializes in microgravity research, offering end-to-end services for life science experiments. Their miniaturized, automated “Lab-on-a-Chip” (LOC) technology allows scientists to conduct research remotely in space, without human intervention. Space Pharma’s autonomous medical and biological labs have reached new heights, literally. Zeron developed the hardware, firmware, and software integration for these labs, ensuring successful launches into space over the past two years.

Production:

20 units, 6 successful flights to space

Communication:

Dedicated Ethernet for Space

Chip:

Raspberry Pi

Design & Engineering partner:

Space Pharma

Development languages:

C++ & Python

SpacePharma’s core product is a lab-on-a-chip platform designed for conducting experiments in microgravity environments. The technology uses microfluidics to precisely manage small volumes of liquids, enabling complex biological, biochemical, and pharmaceutical research in space. The system offers advanced temperature, pressure, and fluid control, allowing scientists to execute multiple experiments with real-time monitoring and control from Earth.

To ensure the system’s functionality during the journey to the ISS, a Microchip attiny1614 controller was implemented to monitor lab temperature without activating the main processor. The Raspberry Pi CM4, chosen for its space certification, manages system drivers and kernels while supporting image transfer, Ku Band communication, and auto power recovery. The system includes precise pumps, an XY arm, valves, dynamic lighting, a camera, heating/cooling units, and a spectrometer. The most challenging part was adapting the lab’s electrical connections to meet ISS standards.