ISSRDC Agenda Set: Trailblazing in Low Earth Orbit to Benefit Humanity
BOSTON (MA), July 25, 2024 – The 13th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC(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.) highlights how pioneers in the space community are harnessing the unique conditions 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. (LEO) to help solve some of our world’s most pressing R&D challenges. ISSRDC is the only conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing how the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) is advancing science and technology and enabling a robust and sustainable market in LEO. The conference will be held July 29-August 1, 2024, at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston.
ISSRDC 2024 brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the orbiting laboratory. Panel discussions with scientists and industry leaders, keynotes from astronauts and policymakers, and lightning talks from trailblazers and innovators will take the main stage. A Marketplace Expo offers a venue for companies to showcase opportunities in LEO and for attendees to meet with researchers and stakeholders. Sessions throughout the conference will include U.S. and international partners who will discuss strategic research areas and how to prepare the next generation of space industry professionals, with representation from the ISS National Laboratory® and NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration. Notable conference events include the following:
- In a live downlink from the space station, four NASA astronauts will describe their daily routines and the work they are supporting during Expedition 71. The crew members will also discuss how the space-based environment can enable scientific breakthroughs that benefit humans on Earth and future space exploration.
- Leaders in the space industry will give daily keynotes, sharing perspectives and discussing areas of importance to the space station research community. These include Jim Free, NASA associate administrator, who will provide insights from the agency on the critical importance of the space station and LEO economy, and Jinni Meehan, assistant director for space policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), who will give an engaging policy perspective.
- The “Mistress of Machines,” Kate Darling, will discuss the future of human-robot interactions, and Stephen Bowen, commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission and Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumnus, will share his experience as a NASA astronaut on the ISS.
- Mike Roberts, chief scientific officer for the ISS National Lab, and Jennifer Buchli, NASA chief scientist for the ISS Program, will co-moderate a panel discussion on breakthroughs in space-based R&D that blaze new trails in transformative medicine and clinical applications.
- NASA will lead a conversation on the importance of maintaining a continuity of research in LEO, ensuring that the ISS continues to foster innovative results and use cases throughout its duration that will prove advantageous for future commercial LEO destinations.
- A plenary session with capital market leaders will discuss the “path forward” in space investment, and a fireside chat will highlight how innovative startups have leveraged the space station as a springboard for business success.
- Multiple sessions will highlight opportunities for students to launch research to the space station and will discuss the importance of building a strong and diverse future workforce.
- During technical sessions, dozens of research teams will present their findings, sharing breakthroughs and lessons learned and spurring new collaborations and R&D initiatives.
Register for ISSRDC and join us in Boston to experience the annual conference showcasing the space station and the value it brings to humanity. Visit the conference website to learn more about ISSRDC, including how to register, and to view the full agenda.
ISSRDC is hosted by the ISS National Lab, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes).); NASA; and the American Astronautical Society (AAS).
Download a high-resolution photo: Conference Graphic
Media Contact:
Patrick O’Neill
904-806-0035
PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org
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About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative AgreementA cooperative agreement is Federal assistance that establishes a relationship between the U.S. Government and a recipient in which the principal purpose of the relationship is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation. Since 2011, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) has managed the National Laboratory® through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA. with NASA, facilitating access to its 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. research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.