Day 1 of ISSRDC is About to Begin: Enjoy Highlights From the Pre-Event Day

Day 1 of the 2024 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) kicks off in Boston this morning with the theme “Trailblazing Low-Earth Orbit.” Yesterday’s pre-event day was filled with informative workshops and meetings among experts in the space research community.

Michael Vestel, Flawless Photonics CTO, presents at the 2024 ISSRDC Workshop: In-Space Production Applications(Abbreviation: InSPA) InSPA is an applied research and development program sponsored by NASA and the ISS National Lab aimed at demonstrating space-based manufacturing and production activities by using the unique space environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that could have an economic impact. in Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

During the workshop on In-Space Production Applications in Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Flawless Photonics CTO Michael Vestel discussed the advantages of manufacturing optical fiber in space and highlighted the company’s groundbreaking success in producing 11.8 kilometers of drawn fiber on the space station.

Panel discussion on commercialization in LEO at the 2024 ISSRDC Workshop: Exploring the Intersection of Biomanufacturing in Space, Earth Regulations, and Workforce Development

A dynamic panel discussed opportunities for commercialization 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. during the workshop Exploring the Intersection of Biomanufacturing in Space, Earth Regulations, and Workforce Development. The panel was moderated by David Marotta, ISSInternational Space Station National Lab program director for in-space biomanufacturing, and included panelists Mari Anne Snow, Eascra Biotech CEO; Jana Stoudemire, Axiom Space director for in-space manufacturing; Rich Leshner, Vast vice president of government affairs; and Molly Mulligan, Redwire Space director of business development.

Douglas Matson, Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) User Advisory Committee (UAC(Abbreviation: UAC) A committee that provides CASIS with user input and perspective about the management of ISS National Lab resources.) chair, shares updates at the ISSRDC 2024 UAC meeting

At 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).) User Advisory Committee (UAC) meeting, UAC members shared updates from the Science, Commercial Service ProviderImplementation Partners that own and operate commercial facilities for the support of research on the ISS or are developing future facilities., Applied R&D, Educational Outreach, and Technical Demonstration subcommittees and held an interactive panel discussion.

CASIS CEO Ray Lugo speaks during the ISS National Lab Implementation Partners meeting

CASIS CEO Ray Lugo gave opening remarks at the the ISS National Lab Implementation Partners meeting, and Robbie Hampton, ISS National Lab director of payload operations, and Ryan Prouty, NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration ISS Research Integration Office manager, provided updates to this growing community of organizations that provide valuable services related to payload development.

There’s more excitement in store today, with Day 1 events including a live downlink with astronauts on the ISS, a luncheon keynote from Jinni Meehan of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, a plenary session on trailblazing new frontiers in science on the space station, and a fireside chat on startups in space. Learn more at www.issconference.org, and follow along for more highlights from the 13th annual ISSRDC!