The ISS National Lab Announces Unsolicited Project Agreements In the Fields of Physical Sciences, Earth Observation, and Payload Retrieval Studies

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (October 16, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab) today announced a series of unsolicited investigations focused on physical sciences and Earth observation studies. the ISS National Lab is the organization responsible for managing the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory.

This series of unsolicited projects represents a wide-ranging set of ISS National Lab investigations. the ISS National Lab accepts projects through either of two pathways: a traditional, targeted solicitation for grants focused on high priority areas of research and technology development, and a less traditional unsolicited proposal process, whereby any U.S. researcher, academic institution, or commercial organization can submit a white paper describing an experiment that uses the unique environment of the ISS National Lab for Earth benefit. In some instances, the ISS National Lab can provide funding for unsolicited proposals based on scientific merit and potential benefit to the American taxpayer.

Below provides an overview of the announced unsolicited investigations:

Stephen Altemus of Intuitive Machines (Houston, TX) will test a Terrestrial Return Vehicle (TRV) that addresses the need for priority small payload return from ISS. With approximately 30 liters of downmass capability per return flight, this technology should attract increased utilization of the ISS as an on-orbit laboratory and improve the commercialization of on-orbit experiments for terrestrial benefit.

Talbot Jaeger from NovaWurks, Inc. (Los Alamitos, CA) has developed a Hyper-Integrated Satellite named HISat that provides complete satellite functionality in a nanosatellite scale package. This project will design and demonstrate a technology for on-orbit assembly and deployment of the HISat system from ISS that should substantially reduce costs associated with satellite system development for space-based R&D.

Dr. Paul Joss from Visidyne, Inc. (Burlington, MA) will develop new technology that will enable the measurement of maximum wind speeds within mature tropical cyclones from the ISS—a platform technology that will have great interest for coastal regions at high risk for tropical cyclone landfalls.

Drs. John Samson, Jr. and Benjamin Malphrus from Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) in conjunction with Honeywell Aerospace (Clearwater, FL) will build and test a small, low-power, high-performance Dependable Multiprocessor (DM) Payload Processor on ISS. Such DM Payload processors are applicable to a wide variety of commercial applications including space-based machine-to-machine network communications, global tracking, and remote sensing.

Jeff Strahan of Milliken & Company (Spartanburg, SC) will evaluate flame retardant and/or resistant (FR) textiles as a mode of personal protection from fire-related hazards. Studying FR behavior of different materials 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. will aid in better designs for future FR textiles and benefit those who wear FR protective apparel such as military personnel and civilian workers in the electrical and energy industries.

Lauren Thompson from A-76 Technologies (Houston, TX), the first the ISS National Lab awardee from the oil and gas industry, plans to test in the harsh environment of space a line of new corrosion inhibitors and lubricants. The unique challenges of exposure to the space environment will demonstrate performance under extreme conditions that accelerate material degradation. Metals coated with A-76 products (planned for future use in preventing corrosion in oil and gas lines on Earth) will be exposed to space using the ISS NanoRacks external platform(Abbreviation: NREP) A platform that on the exterior of the ISS that provides power and a data connection and enables payloads to operate in the harsh space environment. This ISS National Lab commercial facility is owned and operated by Nanoracks..

“Through this wide array of unsolicited investigations, the ISS National Lab continues in its mission to not only utilize the ISS National Laboratory to its fullest capacity but also bring about novel research inquiry,” said the ISS National Lab Chief Operating Officer Duane Ratliff. “These projects represent a broad range of studies that can potentially yield groundbreaking results. From better understanding our planet’s makeup to increasing the potential for rapid retrieval of research investigations, the ISS National Lab is proud to support each of these payloads with the ultimate goal of benefitting life on Earth.”

For information about the ISS National Lab opportunities, including instructions on submitting research ideas, please visit All Current and Upcoming Opportunities

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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point 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., and varied environments of space.

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