Innovation in Focus: A Rich History of ISSRDC

The annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference(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. (ISSRDC) is a pivotal event that brings together commercial, governmental, and academic visionaries to share space-based innovation and discovery related to the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station). Hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (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 Laboratory®; NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the American Astronautical Society, ISSRDC offers a unique platform for attendees to explore the vast potential of the space station. Every year, attendees hear firsthand about the groundbreaking science on station and the expanding space economy in keynote addresses from 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. innovators and trailblazers. Expert panel discussions and technical sessions delve into the latest space research and technology advancements. This photo essay captures the essence of ISSRDC’s history and its ongoing mission to showcase space-based research that benefits humanity, to provide opportunities to network in the dynamic space community, and to drive the growth of a sustainable space economy.

Visit the conference website to register for ISSRDC 2024.

2012 in Denver, CO: The very first ISSRDC brought together key stakeholders to educate attendees on the benefits of conducting research in space, provide information on space station research capabilities and available cargo transportation to station, and showcase the scientific, technological, and engineering achievements on the ISS to date.

2013 in Denver, CO: NASA astronaut Don Pettit spoke about his experience on the space station in his keynote address.

2014 in Chicago, IL: Samuel Ting, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who received the Nobel Prize in 1976 for discovering the subatomic J/ψ particle, delivered a keynote address.

2015 in Boston: Elon Musk, chief executive officer and lead designer for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), participates in a fireside chat. Musk discussed the Falcon 9 anomalous event and his plans for the future. Watch the keynote online.

2016 in San Diego, CA: Sanjay Gupta and former NASA astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly had a dynamic conversation during the session “Insights Into the One-Year Mission, Twins Study and the Advancement of Health on Planet Earth,” which revealed that the year-long stay in 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. was not originally a twins study.

2017 in Washington, D.C.: The “Revolutionizing Science from Ground to Orbit” session was a discussion with NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, Arun Sharma from Harvard Medical School, and Sarah Wallace from NASA. The session was moderated by CNN space and science correspondent Rachel Crane.

Also in 2017: (L) Elon Musk returned for a second fireside chat to discuss SpaceX developments and confesses that “for a long time, my password was ‘I love NASA.’” (R) Buzz Aldrin, former NASA astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot also spoke at ISSRDC. Aldrin is a member of the historic Apollo 11 mission and was the second person to walk on the Moon.

2018 in San Francisco, CA: (R) Attendees experienced a live downlink from the space station as “The Space Gal”—TV host, public speaker, and author, Emily Calandrelli—moderated a discussion with NASA astronaut Drew Feustel as part of a STEM education panel. (L) The panel was comprised of middle and high school students who shared details about their experiments that were sent to the ISS. Live downlinks with astronauts on station have been a highlight of many ISSRDCs.

Also in 2018: (L) Keynote speaker Adam Savage, of Tested.com and MythBusters, discussed his passion for space with former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. (R) NASA astronaut Col. Mark Vande Hei gave a keynote address about his experience logging 168 days as a flight engineer onboard the space station.

2019 in Atlanta, GA: The STEM education session “From Skylab to the ISS – 45 Years of Student Space Experiments” brought together student researchers from different generations to discuss the importance of pushing the limits of science beyond traditional classroom settings. Watch the panel.

Also in 2019: CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta and NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor discussed the future of regenerative medicine in space. Watch the session.

2020 (virtual): The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the option of an in-person event, so ISSRDC went virtual, with thousands of attendees logging on for sessions during a three-day online series that spanned three consecutive months. On Day 1 of the ISSRDC online series, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine delivered the welcome address, and NASA leadership provided programmatic updates regarding research and exploration related to the ISS.

2021 (virtual): The ISSRDC attendee community embraced a virtual format in 2021 in response to safety concerns amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees listened in on a discussion between National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins. The two keynote speakers talked about the importance of space-based research, particularly the NIH-funded investigations with ISS National Lab. Rubins, who is also a biologist and infectious disease researcher, spoke about how such research can drive scientific advancements on Earth.

ISSRDC provides valuable networking opportunities: Many attendees secure a spot at ISSRDC to network with space community leaders. Renowned researchers and representatives from key companies and government agencies attend ISSRDC as participants, speakers, or sponsors. Each year, the ISSRDC agenda creates space to continue the tradition of meaningful and potentially career-changing conversations during meals, breaks, and receptions held in the Marketplace Expo. Register now to join us in Boston.

2022 in Washington, D.C.: Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten gave a keynote address in which she emphasized that a diverse space industry begins with equal access to education. Marten highlighted partnerships between the space sector and entities like the Department of Education, aiming to inspire students from all backgrounds to pursue STEM careers. Marten advocated for rigorous STEM education programs spanning preschool to college.

Also, in 2022, just months after Axiom Space conducted its first private astronaut mission to the ISS, the ISSRDC audience had the pleasure of hearing mission details firsthand from keynote speaker Miguel Lopez Alegria, Axiom Space chief astronaut.

2023 in Seattle, WA: (L) NASA astronaut Meghan McCarthur delivered an address to attendees during Day 1 of ISSRDC. McCarthur spent 200 days in space conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations on the ISS and served as pilot of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour. (R) The Genes in SpaceAn annual national research competition for students in grades 7 through 12 to design pioneering biotechnology experiments that are conducted by astronauts on the space station. The program is funded by Boeing and miniPCR bio and supported by the ISS National Laboratory® and New England BioLabs. student competition winner is announced each year at ISSRDC. Isabel Jiang, a high school student from Hillsborough, CA, won the 2023 competition with her proposal to investigate the mechanisms that make latent viruses reactive in space.

Also, in 2023, (top) Representatives from the ISS National Lab and NASA’s Human Research Program discussed the latest research opportunity, Igniting Innovation, aimed at addressing health challenges such as cancer through innovative research on station. (bottom) A Day 3 panel highlighted ISS international partners, emphasizing the critical role of international teamwork in space endeavors and its contribution to encouraging aspiring space explorers.

Register now to attend ISSRDC 2024!