2019 ISSRDC Materials Science in Space Workshop Report Released
Blue optical fibers
Media Credit: NASA
The International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) U.S. National Laboratory and NASA’s Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications (SLPSRA) Division have released the 2019 ISS Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC(Abbreviation: ISSRDC) The only conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing how the International Space Station is advancing science and technology and enabling a robust and sustainable market in LEO. This annual conference brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the space station. ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the ISS National Lab; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society.) Materials Science in Space Workshop Report.
The 2019 ISSRDC Materials Science in Space Workshop was held on July 29 during ISSRDC in Atlanta, Georgia. This joint workshop brought together government, university, and industry researchers and engineers to discuss how 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. and the extreme environmental conditions on the ISS could be leveraged for innovative materials science research that meets both NASA’s exploration goals and the ISS National Lab’s goals to benefit life on Earth.
For more information about the workshop, visit issnationallab.org/workshops/2019-materials-in-space.
- View the Workshop Report
- View the Workshop Presentations
The workshop consisted of morning briefings on high-priority advanced materials topics and new ideas, as well as overviews of the latest facilities and instruments available for materials research on the ISS. In the afternoon, three in-depth breakout sessions, chosen based on responses to a Request for Information issued in advance of the workshop, covered the following topics:
1. Functional Materials
2. Materials Characterization, Microstructure, and Process Modeling
3. Lunar Infrastructure and Surface Operations
The Workshop Report summarizes discussions from the breakout sessions, which aimed to identify potential future investigations and gaps in existing ISS research capabilities and recommend follow-on actions.
Additional Resources
- A Researcher’s Guide to: Microgravity Materials Research
- Industrial Productivity Spinoffs
- Physical Sciences Research Onboard the ISS National Lab
ISS National Lab Research Opportunities
Two ISS National Lab Requests for Proposals (RFPs) related to materials science are currently open:
- Transport Phenomena Research on the ISS to Benefit Life on Earth (in collaboration with the National Science Foundation)
- Advanced Materials Research and Development Onboard the ISS National Laboratory
Learn more about the ISS National Lab Proposal Submission Process