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 Station

The 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 Station

Unity 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 Station

NASA 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 Station

Destiny, 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 Station

Congress 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 Station

The European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory becomes part of the station.

Japanese Lab Joins the ISS

March 11, 2008

International Space Station

The first Japanese Kibo laboratory module becomes part of the station.

ISS 10-Year Anniversary

November 2, 2010

International Space Station

The 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 Station

NASA issues a cooperative agreement notice for a management partner.

NASA Selects the ISS National Lab

July 2011

International Space Station

NASA 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

Proteins 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

The 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 Station

NASA 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 Station

CASIS 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 Station

NASA announces an extension of the Cooperative Agreement with CASIS to manage the ISS National Lab through 2027.