Live Downlink From the Space Station Announced for the ISS Research and Development Conference

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL (July 17, 2018) — The International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) today announced that it will host a live downlink transmission from the International Space Station during its 7th annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, CA. The downlink is scheduled for Thursday, July 26 between 11:15 am and 12:15 pm PDT and intends to include NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts Drew Feustel and Serena Aunon-Chancellor. In addition to this live conversation from 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., the conference also announced that Emily Calendrelli, Emmy-nominated host of the television show Xploration Outer Space, will serve as moderator for the session. Emily will be joined by five teams of students currently involved in conducting research on the orbiting laboratory. The ISSRDC is held in coordination with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the American Astronautical Society (AAS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The ISSRDC brings together the extensive community of space station users, service providers, and investors from across many sectors of government and industry. This year’s event features more than 150 sessions focused on a variety of research and development areas. In addition to the live downlink, recently announced sessions include:

• Adam Savage, maker and editor-in-chief of Tested.com and former co-host of MythBusters
• “Protecting our One Strange Rock: Exploring the Future of Sustainability On the Earth and Off the Earth,” hosted by Bengt Anderson, executive producer, National Geographic
• “An Innovation Discussion” with IBM, featuring Todd M. Moore, vice president, open technology, and Grady Booch, IBM fellow and chief scientist, IBM Watson
• “Silicon Valley in Space: Exploring New ISS Innovations,” hosted by Loren Grush, science reporter, The Verge

“We are thrilled to be able to share the unforgettable experience of a live conversation with astronauts onboard the International Space Station with the 2018 International Space Station Research and Development Conference(Abbreviation: ISSRDC) The only conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing how the International Space Station is advancing science and technology and enabling a robust and sustainable market in LEO. This annual conference brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the space station. ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the ISS National Lab; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. audience in San Francisco,” said Brian Talbot, director of marketing and communications at the ISS National Lab. “This will be a meaningful moment for the researchers, students, innovators, and investors who come together for this event to celebrate and embrace the expanded access to opportunities now available in space.”

The full conference program and registration information is available at https://www.issconference.org

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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) is the nonprofit organization selected to manage the ISS National Laboratory with a focus on enabling a new era of space research to improve life on Earth. In this innovative role, the ISS National Lab promotes and brokers a diverse range of research in life sciences, physical sciences, remote sensing, technology development, and education.

Since 2011, the ISS National Lab portfolio has included hundreds of novel research projects spanning multiple scientific disciplines, all with the intention of benefitting life on Earth. Working together with NASA, the ISS National Lab aims to advance the nation’s leadership in commercial space, pursue groundbreaking science not possible on Earth, and leverage the space station to inspire the next generation.

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, and varied environments of space.

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Media Contact: 
Patrick O’Neill
(321) 480-1054
PONeill@issnationallab.org