How NASA used the Space Shuttle to create an ultra-high vacuum in orbit

During the 1990s, NASA deployed a unique spacecraft designed to manufacture materials in the pristine environment of space. This video examines the Wake Shield Facility, a specialized tool that moved away from the Space Shuttle to exploit the vacuum of orbit for experimental manufacturing.

The Wake Shield Facility was a specialized spacecraft tasked with creating an ultra-high vacuum environment for manufacturing tests. By deploying the facility from the Space Shuttle and allowing it to drift into a cleaner region of space, researchers aimed to leverage the unique conditions of the orbital environment.

The project involved three distinct missions throughout the 1990s. These flights sought to explore the potential of space-based manufacturing, utilizing the vacuum of space to achieve conditions that are difficult to replicate on Earth.

Source: How NASA Made The Vacuum of Space Suck More - The Wake Shield Facility