« Back to About the ISS National Lab
ISS National Lab Overview
About the ISS National Lab
The ISSInternational Space Station National Lab provides access to a persistent 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., or weightlessness, had profound and unique effects on physical and biological phenomena. Understanding these effects is critical for human exploration and pioneering space — but the study of these effects also advances knowledge on Earth. The International Space Station National Laboratory is a permanently crewed research facility, observatory, and engineering test bed that can provide powerful insights into fundamental and applied scientific investigations.
Benefits of Space Research
The ISS National Lab provides an out-of-this-world platform for cutting-edge research and product development. Human space exploration missions quickly revealed that microgravity, or weightlessness, had profound and unique effects on physical and biological phenomena. Understanding these effects is critical for human exploration and pioneering space — but the study of these effects also advances knowledge on Earth. The International Space Station National Laboratory is a permanently crewed research facility, observatory, and engineering test bed that can provide powerful insights into fundamental and applied scientific investigations.
ISS History & Timeline
The International Space Station (ISS), a marvel of modern science and engineering, represents the culmination of a decade’s work and over 30 missions by five space agencies from 15 countries. Comparable in size to a football field and weighing 460 tons, the ISS orbits Earth as a testament to human collaboration and ingenuity. Once a figment of science fiction, the concept of a space station materialized with the advent of the Space Age, leading to the first basic model in 1969 and eventually to the ISS’s construction in 1998. Initially reserved for government research, the ISS has now opened its hatches to commercial and academic ventures, offering new realms of possibilities for space-related research and commerce. Explore the creation and history of the ISS in this visual timeline, marking major advancements, breakthroughs, and results.
Missions & Launches
Mission and launch content provide detailed information about what’s heading to the International Space Station (ISS), including upcoming and past missions, as well as key details such as launch vehicles, dates, and launch locations. Discover the science, R&D, and payload descriptions heading to station and learn about the role of the ISS National Lab in promoting and managing research that can benefit humanity.
Research Areas
ISS National Lab research falls into five categories: Fundamental science, in-space production applications(Abbreviation: InSPA) InSPA is an applied research and development program sponsored by NASA and the ISS National Lab aimed at demonstrating space-based manufacturing and production activities by using the unique space environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that could have an economic impact., technology development & manufacturing, STEM education & workforce development, and commercial service providerImplementation Partners that own and operate commercial facilities for the support of research on the ISS or are developing future facilities. utilization.