James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship Opportunity Sponsored by the ISS National Lab is Now Open

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), July 24, 2023 – Following the success of the 2022 James A. Abrahamson Fellowship program, the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory is pleased to announce that applications for the 2023 fellowship will open on July 24. This 12-month advanced learning fellowship is meant to expose undergraduate and early-stage graduate students to the burgeoning space community and promote workforce development. The fellowship specifically seeks U.S. citizens or permanent residents from underrepresented communities, with the goal of ensuring that opportunities within the space industry are available to everyone. Applications to participate in this fellowship will be accepted until August 25, 2023. 

Participation in the fellowship program will allow fellows to develop skills and knowledge to position themselves for future space-related careers. Throughout the program, fellows will work with both an ISS National Lab mentor and a subject matter expert in a field relevant to their major area of study and aerospace career interest. Fellows will also have an opportunity to network with ISS National Lab stakeholders. 

The fellowship is named after Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson (USAF Ret.), who is widely regarded as one of the more distinguished and decorated military program leaders of the 20th century. Lt. Gen. Abrahamson began his military career as a fighter pilot in Vietnam and was ultimately selected for the Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory program (later canceled). After his time as a pilot and astronaut candidate, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson ascended to multiple essential Air Force and NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration staff positions, including his assignment as NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Flight. Additionally, in 1984, upon President Reagan’s request, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson served as the first director for the Strategic Defense Initiative (the “Star Wars Program”) until he retired from service in 1989. Since his retirement, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson has kept active, maintaining leadership positions within various aviation industry companies, and serving as the chair of the board of directors and interim executive director for CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes)., manager of the ISS National Lab. For his efforts in promoting NASA’s goal of commercialization of space, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson was awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal. 

“It is a great honor to be linked to such an important fellowship,” said Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson (USAF Ret.). “Now more than ever, it is critical to prepare the next generation of researchers and leaders for important roles in the thriving aerospace industry. Through this fellowship, we will introduce students to the opportunities available through the ISS National Laboratory and provide them with the tools they need to succeed as we drive new markets 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 beyond.” 

Participation in the James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship program will enable fellows to pursue their career interests through lasting networking opportunities with government, academic, and commercial partners. Furthermore, the fellowship will prepare fellows to: 

• Communicate the value of scientific discovery and technological innovation in space 
• Understand the importance of U.S. leadership in commercial space 
• Gain techniques and insight to inspire the next generation through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 

“This fellowship has been a great opportunity for me,” said Taylor Peterson, one of the 2022 fellowship recipients. “It has helped me gain experience with the research I want to get into, which ultimately helped me earn a spot in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Everyone at the ISS National Lab has been so nice and supportive of us, and I really enjoyed my time as a fellow.”

The International Space Station National Laboratory would like to thank the 2022 Fellows Harsimran Kalsi, Caitlin O’Brien, and Taylor Peterson for their outstanding work during their 12-month fellowship.  

For more information about this fellowship, including how to apply and the selection process, please visit our James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship webpage. 

Download a high-resolution photo for this release: The International Space Station

Media Contact:       
Patrick O’Neill
904-806-0035
PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org

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About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:  The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the space station are available to support non-NASA science, technology and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative AgreementA cooperative agreement is Federal assistance that establishes a relationship between the U.S. Government and a recipient in which the principal purpose of the relationship is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation.  Since 2011, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) has managed the National Laboratory® through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA. with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent 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. research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.   

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