the ISS National Lab Releases Request for Information to Identify Equipment for Materials Science Research on the International Space Station
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (March 6, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab) today released a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks to identify equipment capable of supporting future materials science experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. The RFI solicits entities capable of serving as implementation partners and/or hardware providers for such research.
The the ISS National Lab Science and Technology Advisory Panel classified materials science as a research priority due to its many potential Earth applications. Through this RFI, the ISS National Lab hopes to ascertain available resources including flight hardware, support equipment, and expertise to enable space-based materials science initiatives for Earth benefit. Information acquired through this RFI will allow the ISS National Lab to further assess commercial interest in ISS utilization and will potentially facilitate experiments involving:
- Materials exposure in extreme conditions
- Crystallization and phase transitions of materials
- Interfacial phenomena of multiphase materials
From the white papers submitted in response to this RFI, the ISS National Lab will enhance its database of entities capable of supporting payload development needs for materials science experiments—as well as its distribution list of entities interested in space-based materials science research. This information gathering opportunity precedes an anticipated materials science Request for Proposals that is being considered for release in the coming months.
“As the ISS National Lab continues to develop its ISS National Lab research portfolio in the physical sciences, we see materials science as a strong opportunity for commercially relevant research,” said the ISS National Lab Director of Portfolio Management Warren Bates. “Through this RFI, we hope to identify a broad range of hardware options and service providers to support advanced ISS research in this field.”
The RFI will be open until 5pm EDT on March 19, 2014. For additional information about this RFI, including instructions on submitting a proposal, please visit:
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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 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. 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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