News & Events
ASCEND 2026: ISSInternational Space Station R&D Technical Sessions
Call for Abstracts
Welcome to the International Space Station (ISS) R&D Technical Session abstract submission page.
The ISS R&D Technical Sessions at the 2026 ASCEND conference are sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. The ISS National Lab, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) under a 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 NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration, provides access to ISS resources for research and technology development that benefits humanity and fosters a sustainable 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. (LEO) economy.
The technical session abstract submission period is now open, and interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Responsive abstract submissions will be relevant to the use of the ISS or LEO to advance R&D across a wide variety of disciplines.
Questions regarding the technical sessions should be directed to TechSessions@issnationallab.org.
Abstracts are due Friday,
January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Important Dates
Friday, January 23, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET) – Abstract submission deadline
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Notifications sent to authors
Monday, March 16, 2026 – Deadline for authors to accept invitation
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – Deadline for uploading final presentations
Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21, 2026 – In-person technical sessions
Additional Information
Technical session abstract submissions are for in-person presentations only. Scientific papers and posters are not required and will not be accepted. Preference will be given to abstracts that include data or results from R&D that has already been completed on the ISS or R&D that has been funded and is in preparation for launch to the ISS. Abstract submissions must be 500 words or less. Supplemental data and images may be included via the PDF uploader but are not required.
Abstract submission is open to all nationalities, but the presenter must attend the conference in person. We encourage submissions from any past, present, or future ISS or other LEO R&D platform user, supporter, or operator with an entrepreneurial, commercial, academic, or government background.
The following list of topic areas is not intended to be exhaustive but to provide a forum for the presentation of related subject matter. Other relevant presentation topics will be considered and fit into the program, if accepted.
- Biology & Medicine
- Commercial Use & Innovative Solutions
- Physical & Materials Science
- Technology Demonstrations
- Workforce Development
Authors accepted for presentations will receive an email invitation to present. Primary authors will have limited time to accept or decline the invitation via email. Those not responding to the invitation will be noted as declining participation. Detailed presentation instructions will be sent by email following acceptance.
Presenters must submit electronic copies of presentations for the technical sessions by May 6, 2026, through the online submission process. Failure to do so will invoke the “no presentation, no podium” rule, and the item will be stricken from the schedule. “Walk on” charts (or presentations brought to the event venue) and updates to previously submitted presentations are not allowed.
By submitting an abstract and presentation, the author agrees to its inclusion in the program and/or conference proceedings. Copies of the abstracts, bios, contact information, and presentations may be made available to all conference registrants in hard copy or electronically. “Pre-decisional,” “pre-publication,” or “proprietary” information should not be included in abstracts or submitted presentations. Addendum charts containing such material will not be possible.
All authors are required to register for the conference in the same fashion as all other attendees.
Technology Transfer Notice: This is an international conference. If the author’s organization, agency, or government requires export approval of their material for this conference, the author must follow that process on a schedule that allows the author to meet the conference deadlines. Completing export approval is the responsibility of the author, not of the conference organizers.
Authors may email TechSessions@issnationallab.org for additional information, submission difficulties, or abstract inquiries.
For the latest news and information on ASCEND 2026, visit https://www.ascend.events/.
Please send ASCEND 2026 conference attendance inquiries to ascend@aiaa.org.