International Space Station U.S. National Lab and National Science Foundation Announce Transport Phenomena in Space Funding Opportunity
November 7, 2018
Up to $4 million in funding from the National Science Foundation will be available for fluid dynamics, particulate and multiphase processes, combustion and fire systems, and thermal transport research aboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory
Kennedy Space Center, FL (November 7, 2018) — The International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) U.S. National Laboratory and the National Science Foundation (NSF) today announced a “Transport Phenomena” joint solicitation wherein researchers from the fluid dynamics, particulate and multiphase processes, thermal transport, and combustion and fire system communities will have the ability to leverage resources onboard the space station. Up to $4 million will be awarded for multiple research investigations to support flight projects to the ISS National Laboratory. Previously, the ISS National Lab and the NSF partnered on two fluid dynamics/multiphase processes solicitations, and one funding opportunity focused on combustion and thermal transport. This new funding opportunity will combine the previous scientific disciplines for researchers in an effort to provide a broad range of research applications within the microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. environment of the space station.
Through this partnership, the ISS National Lab and NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration will facilitate hardware implementation and on-orbit access to the microgravity research platform. NSF will fund the selected projects to advance fundamental science and engineering knowledge. NSF supports transformative research to help drive the U.S. economy, enhance national security and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.
The unique high-quality and long-duration microgravity environment on the ISS National Laboratory has many benefits for the study of fluid dynamics, multiphase processes, thermal transport and combustion and fire systems. Many processes that affect the behavior of fluids on Earth, such as convection, sedimentation, hydrostatic pressure, and buoyancy, are absent in microgravity.
Through this solicitation, the ISS National Lab and NSF seek proposals that will evaluate phenomena such as, but not limited to, capillary flow, diffusion, interfacial behavior, multiphase flow, separation, surface tension, combustion, and phase change.
Prior to submitting a full to proposal to NSF, all interested parties must submit a Feasibility Review form to the ISS National Lab, which will determine the operational feasibility and terrestrial benefit of the proposed project. The ISS National Lab will notify the proposer of a passing or failing review score within 4 weeks of the Feasibility Review form being submitted. The deadline to submit the Feasibility Review form is January 4, 2019. Only projects that pass the Feasibility Review will be invited to submit a full proposal to NSF. The notification of a passing score must be included in the full proposal submission. NSF will close this grant solicitation on March 15, 2019.
Information on the Feasibility Review can be found at: https://issnationallab.org/opportunities/nsf-iss-national-lab-collaboration-on-transport-phenomena-research-on-the-international-space-station-to-benefit-life-on-earth/
To learn more about the funding opportunity, view the full solicitation via the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering and Environmental Transport Systems (CBET) in the NSF Engineering Directorate.
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About the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the ISS as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving quality of life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This unique laboratory environment is now available for use by non-NASA U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector, providing these customers access to a permanent microgravity setting, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles., and the extreme and varied environments of space. The ISS National Lab is managed by the Center for the Advancement for Science in Space, under agreement with NASA.
About the National Science Foundation: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2018, its budget is $7.8 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.
Media Contacts:
ISS National Lab:
Patrick O’Neill
(321) 480-1054
PONeill@issnationallab.org
NSF:
Sarah Bates
(703) 292-7738
sabates@nsf.gov