the ISS National Lab Issues Solicitation for Proposals: Materials Testing in the Extreme Environment of Space
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (September 4, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the nonprofit organization managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, today issued a solicitation for proposals in Materials Testing in the Extreme Environment of Space.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to identify projects within the field of Materials Science, which the ISS National Lab will support through grant funding, facilitation of service provider partnerships, and flight coordination to and from the ISS. This RFP will focus on research in Materials Science 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. 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 ISS National Lab believes that this RFP will create interest for both experienced and new investigators who will endeavor to use the extreme conditions of space for the development and testing of new materials, components and systems that will have Earth-based applications.
“Through this solicitation, scientists will have the first opportunity to utilize a new and exciting capability outside the ISS National Lab, the NanoRacks External Platform,” said the ISS National Lab Interim Executive Director, Jim Royston. “This wonderful platform offers unique opportunities to put research in the extreme environment of space, leading to what the ISS National Lab hopes will be scientific breakthroughs in consumer products as well as new materials capable of changing life on Earth.”
Last month, the ISS National Lab closed its first solicitation for proposals; Advancing Protein Crystallization in Microgravity. In the coming weeks, the ISS National Lab plans to announce a request for proposals in Earth Observational Science.
For additional information about this RFP, including instructions and information regarding Materials Science, the ISS National Lab and the ISS please visit:
stg-issnationallab-issnldevsite.kinsta.cloud/solicitations
Proposals must be submitted electronically by 5pm EST on October 24, 2012 via the the ISS National Lab solicitations website page.
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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. The the ISS National Lab goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. For more information, visit stg-issnationallab-issnldevsite.kinsta.cloud.
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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