Jim Royston Named Interim Director of the ISS National Lab

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (March 5, 2012) – Today, Jim Royston was named interim director for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab) – the nonprofit entity selected in 2011 by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration to maximize utilization of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. The appointment comes following the resignation of Dr. Jeanne Becker, who was hired as director of the organization in fall 2011.

The Board received Dr. Becker’s resignation last week and accepted it as a result of ongoing disputes in relation to the pace and direction of the implementation of the ISS National Lab’ mission. The Board has now established an Executive Office of the Chairman within the ISS National Lab to drive the organization toward rapid development during this period. Royston has stepped down from his current role as the ISS National Lab Director of Strategy and Planning to assume the interim role. He holds considerable executive leadership experience and will provide day-to-day direction to the staff of the ISS National Lab. Howard Haug, a member of the the ISS National Lab Board of Directors, who also has considerable executive leadership and operational experience will assist Royston as Executive Officer, to ensure the continued, aggressive roll out of the ISS National Lab in the marketplace.

The the ISS National Lab Board of Directors will immediately initiate a national search for a qualified executive to lead the organization. Emphasis will be placed on identifying a respected, high profile executive with extensive science and management skills.

The ISS National Lab provides a one-of-a-kind 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. research environment that cannot be replicated on Earth. The facility offers a broad spectrum of extreme conditions for basic and applied research in such areas as biological sciences, biotechnology, human health, physical and materials science, earth and space imaging and engineering R&D. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting, promoting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries in science, engineering and technology – via the ISS National Lab – that have high probability of return-on-investment in the marketplace, and the betterment of humankind and life on our planet.

“We thank Dr. Becker for her service during the start-up of the ISS National Lab and extend our best wishes for her success in future endeavors,” said the ISS National Lab Board Member and Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We are confident that we will identify a new director for the organization in the near term and look forward to taking the ISS National Lab to the next level – aggressively building a market and pursuing R&D customers for the ISS National Lab.”

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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 NASA 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 and varied environments of space. The NASA National Lab Office currently facilitates research initiatives on board the ISS NL, but management of the Nation’s only on-orbit laboratory is now transitioning to the ISS National Lab.

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