The ISS National Lab Announces Upcoming Requests for Proposals in Materials Science and Earth Observational Science
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (August 20, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the nonprofit organization promoting and managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, will soon announce two upcoming solicitations for ISS research proposals. Both solicitations will be made available for commercial, governmental, and academic researchers over the next month.
The two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will be in the fields of Materials Science and Earth Observational Science. The RFPs will open various facilities onboard the ISS to research communities, offering an innovative, quick path for scientists to benefit from the Station’s on orbit capabilities. Both solicitations are aimed to return data as quickly as possible. In the case of the Earth Observational Science RFP, results will be in researchers’ hands as early as spring 2013.
the ISS National Lab will support both RFPs through grant funding, facilitation of service provider partnerships and flight coordination to and from the ISS, if required. The ISS National Lab supports a variety of platforms to exploit the space environment in the development and testing of new materials for both commercial and academic investigators. Through these solicitations, the ISS National Lab continues in its mission to promote the full utilization of the ISS.
The Materials Science RFP focuses on research that can be exposed to the extreme conditions of space in order to understand and make use of the physical and chemical properties influenced by 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., atomic oxygen, low pressure and/or vast temperature variations. Research could include the development and testing of new materials and coatings, as well as the applied development of sensor components and systems. This RFP will utilize the 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..
The Earth Observational Science RFP revolves around research — both fundamental and applied — using imaging and spectroscopic facilities already onboard the ISS to study the Earth’s atmosphere, surface, and oceans. This RFP solicits proposals from a variety of fields ranging from agricultural land use and urban planning, ocean dynamics and color, to lightning, cloud and pollution research.
These solicitations follow the ISS National Lab’ first announced RFP: “Advancing Protein Crystallization in Microgravity,” which is currently accepting submissions through August 22, 2012.
“Through these solicitations, the ISS National Lab is opening a new, quick-reaction avenue to do research aboard the ISS, opening the next generation of scientific advances in these fields,” said Deepak Agrawal, the ISS National Lab Director of Science and Technology.
“With the announcement of the Materials Science RFP, the ISS National Lab has opened an innovative opportunity for microgravity research to be conducted using the NanoRacks External Platform,” said Jim Royston, the ISS National Lab Interim Executive Director. “The Earth Observational Science RFP opens the door to both traditional and non-traditional investigators to utilize the ISS and undertake fast-reaction Earth observations for the benefit of humanity. the ISS National Lab is extremely excited about both RFPs and we look forward to them helping to fully utilize the ISS National Lab.”
For additional information about both RFPs, including instructions and resources regarding Materials Science and Earth Observational Science, continue to check the the ISS National Lab solicitations site:
All Current and Upcoming Opportunities.
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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space was selected by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. The the ISS National Lab goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. 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. The ISS National Laboratory Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center currently facilitates research initiatives on board the station’s National Lab, but management of America’s only in-orbit laboratory is transitioning to the ISS National Lab.
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