Upward Volume 2, Issue 3 – the quarterly magazine of the ISS National Lab
Explore the newest issue of Upward to learn about the latest activities taking place on the International Space Station U.S. National Lab. In this issue, the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab Director of Operations and NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration Liaison Ken Shields shares his perspective on the growth of commercial activity in space and the evolution of a new economy 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.. Learn how in-orbit commercial facility operators are serving as pathfinders for economic development in low Earth orbit in this issue’s cover story highlighting Space Tango—one of the many innovative and successful companies doing business onboard the ISS National Lab. Discover how a recent collaboration between the ISS National Lab and NASA to refurbish a retired furnace for new applications onboard the ISS is enabling researchers to pursue materials science investigations with potential homeland security applications. See how preflight, ground validation studies can inform 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 with exciting results prior to flight, as illustrated by an Emory University researcher’s stem cell research with translational applications. Finally, learn about a high schooler’s exciting research onboard the space station, the ISS National Lab Microgravity Molecular Crystal Growth Program, a new Earth observation platform on station providing a unique view of our planet, and highlights from this year’s ISSR&D Conference. Enjoy the view Upward!
We are also excited to announce that Upward is now available online at https://issnationallab.org/upward/!