November 2025
Welcome to Space Station Spotlight, a monthly newsletter from the ISS National Laboratory®. Here’s where you can find all the latest R&D happenings on the space station, see what our partners are up to, and learn how to elevate your research to new heights by leveraging the unique space environment.
What’s new at the ISS National Lab?
Since November 2, 2000, more than 290 astronauts from around the globe have traveled to the ISS, advancing science and fostering international cooperation for the benefit of humanity. Read more.
On the patch, inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s commitment to environmental conservation, the space station orbits over a tropical paradise. Learn more.
On this episode of Between a Rocket & a Hard Space, Baldanza-Dekker highlights Margaritaville’s collaboration with the ISS National Lab on a first-of-its-kind mission patch, which features early designs from Jimmy Buffett himself. Find out how the patch came to be and hear about Jimmy’s enduring love of space.
Explore the people, partnerships, and activities that have made 25 years in orbit possible. View the photos.
Partner News
Jared Isaacman was renominated to serve as the next NASA Administrator. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut, was initially nominated in December 2024, but the nomination was withdrawn in June 2025.
Legislators introduced a bill to continue U.S. space research after the ISS. The Space Research and Continuing Exploration (RACE) Act would create the National Institute for Space Research, which would oversee U.S. research on future commercial space stations.
Voyager Technologies acquired ExoTerra Resource, a leading developer of electric propulsion systems. ExoTerrahas worked with the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial customers.
Varda Space Industries and United Semiconductors announced a partnership. Varda and United Semiconductors, which recently launched an investigation to the ISS, are collaborating to produce semiconductors in space.
PBS debuted a two-part docuseries celebrating 25 years of humans on the ISS. “Operation Space Station” tells the story of the ISS, from its design and construction to its spacewalks and science.
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® spaceplane completed preflight tests. The company is targeting 2026 for Dream Chaser’s first launch to LEO, following a final round of acoustic testing expected to take place next month.
Starlab Space’s CEO says more than half the commercial station’s research capacity is already sold. Starlab has said it aims to have the same research capacity as the ISS on its space station.
The second launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket included a successful booster landing. The rocket’s first stage completed a vertical landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. Blue Origin also recently announced development of a super heavy New Glenn variant.
Funding Opportunities
Media Credit: Image courtesy of Dr. Tengfei Luo (University of Notre Dame).
Feasibility Review Forms are due January 12 for an NSF-funded transport phenomena solicitation. Up to $3.6 million in total funding is available for projects that leverage the ISS National Lab to advance fundamental science related to fluid dynamics, thermal transport systems, combustion, nanoscale interactions, multiphase processes, and more. Find out how to submit a concept on our solicitation webpage.
Results
The most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab, is online. Explore valuable findings from space-based R&D—download the current and past issues here.
Researchers are charting how microbes inhabit the ISS and adapt to space conditions. To develop 3D chemical and microbial maps of the space station, researchers from UCSD and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory had astronauts swab more than 800 locations on the ISS. The team’s findings shed light on how to keep astronauts healthy on long-duration missions. Read the Upward feature “Charting the Microbial Map” to learn more.
Biotech startup LambdaVision raised $7 million in seed funding. The company has completed nine ISS investigations to advance its artificial retina capable of restoring vision in those blinded by macular degeneration.
Orbit Fab was awarded up to $3.8 million through the UK Space Agency and ESA. Through the contract, Orbit Fab— which leveraged the ISS National Lab to advance its Gas Stations in Space™ technology—will lead a European consortium advancing next-generation satellite refueling technology.
STEM Education and Workforce Development
Media Credit: Genes in Space
Crew members completed operations for a student-led Genes in Space investigation.
The project explores using viruses that attack bacteria to combat microbial infections in space. The Genes in Space program is celebrating its 10th year of empowering students to conduct pioneering genetics research in space. Read more.
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