Reagan directs NASA to build the ISS
January 25, 1984
International Space Station"Just as the oceans opened up a new world for clipper ships and Yankee traders, space holds enormous potential for commerce today". President Ronald Reagan's State of the Union Address directs NASA to build an international space station within the next 10 years.
First ISS Segment Launches
November 20, 1998
International Space StationThe first segment of the ISS launches: The Zarya Control Module launched aboard a Russian Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Zarya (translates to "sunrise") supplied fuel storage, battery power and rendezvous and docking capability for Soyuz and Progress space vehicles.
First U.S.-built component launches
December 4, 1998
International Space StationUnity Node 1 module—the first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station— launches into orbit two weeks later during the STS-88 mission. Joining Unity with the Zarya module was the first step in the assembly of the orbiting laboratory.
First Crew to Reside on Station
November 2, 2000
International Space StationNASA Astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev become the first crew to reside onboard the station. Expedition 1 spent four months onboard completing tasks necessary to bring the ISS "to life" and began what is now more than 20 years of continuous human presence in space.
U.S. Lab Module Added
February 7, 2001
International Space StationDestiny, the U.S. Laboratory module, becomes part of the station. The lab—that increased onboard living space by 41%—continues to be the primary research laboratory for U.S. payloads.
U.S. Lab Module Recognized as Newest U.S. National Laboratory
December 30, 2005
International Space StationCongress designates the U.S. portion of the ISS as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for other U.S. government agencies and for academic and private institutions.
European Lab Joins the ISS
February 7, 2008
International Space StationThe European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory becomes part of the station.
Japanese Lab Joins the ISS
March 11, 2008
International Space StationThe first Japanese Kibo laboratory module becomes part of the station.
ISS 10-Year Anniversary
November 2, 2010
International Space StationThe ISS celebrates its 10-year anniversary of continuous human occupation. Since Expedition 1 in the fall of 2000, 202 people had visited the station.
NASA Issues Cooperative Agreement
February 2011
International Space StationNASA issues a cooperative agreement notice for a management partner.
NASA Selects the ISS National Lab
July 2011
International Space StationNASA selects the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space to manage the ISS National Lab.
First ISS National Lab Solicitation
June 26, 2012
International Space StationThe first ISS National Lab solicitation to send science to the International Space Station is announced.
First ISS Research and Development Conference
June 26-28, 2012
International Space StationThe ISS National Lab, NASA, and the American Astronautical Society (AAS) host the first annual ISS Research and Development Conference (#ISSRDC) held June 26-28, 2012, in Denver, Colorado.
The First ISS National Lab Research Flight
September 30, 2013
International Space StationProteins can be grown as crystals in space with nearly perfect three-dimensional structures useful for the development of new drugs. The ISS National Lab's protein crystal growth (PCG) series of flights began in 2013, allowing researchers to utilize the unique environment of the ISS.
First Payloads Awarded Through an ISS National Lab Solicitation
April 18, 2014
International Space StationThe payloads, launched on SpaceX CRS-3, include multiple protein crystallization projects supported by grant funding from the first ISS National Lab request for proposals, awarded in late 2012 and early 2013.
Space Station Ambassador Program Begins
2015
International Space StationThe ISS National Lab creates the Space Station Ambassador program, a nationwide network of educators and lifelong learners who share information about ISS National Lab educational activities with their students, peers, and communities.
Space Station Explorers Created
2016
International Space StationThe ISS National Lab creates Space Station Explorers, a community of educators, learners, and organizations that leverage the unique platform of the ISS National Lab to provide valuable STEM educational experiences.
ISS National Lab Launches an Investor Network
2016
International Space StationThe investor network connects venture capital, private equity, corporate, and other financial investors with startups in the ISS National Lab ecosystem.
First Issue of Upward, Official Magazine of the ISS National Lab
February 2016
International Space StationThe magazine publishes feature articles and perspective pieces about results from ISS National Lab-sponsored projects.
First Commercial Tool Produced in Space
June 2016
International Space StationThe Kobalt wrench is 3D printed using the Additive Manufacturing Facility on station.
Four-Year, $12 Million Partnership with NIH on Tissue Chips Announced
October 5, 2016
International Space StationThe ISS National Lab announces a four-year partnership with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund research onboard the ISS focused on tissue chips.
First Investigation Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation
January 29, 2018
International Space StationThe first investigation funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation through its partnership with the ISS National Lab, a study of sediment particle interactions, launches to the space station on SpaceX CRS-15.
20 Years of Continuous Human Presence in Space
November 2, 2020
International Space StationNASA and the ISS National Lab celebrate 20 years of continuous human presence in space.
10-Year Anniversary of the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™)
August 31, 2021
International Space StationCASIS celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its creation and the beginning of its partnership with NASA to manage the ISS National Lab as a public service to the nation.
NASA Extends Cooperative Agreement
September 15, 2022
International Space StationNASA announces an extension of the Cooperative Agreement with CASIS to manage the ISS National Lab through 2027.