New Research Opportunity from ISS National Lab Focuses on In-Space Manufacturing of Advanced Materials
Aeropyrum pernix Flap Endonuclease-1 (FEN-1) protein crystals are shown grown under Earth gravity conditions.
Media Credit: University of Toledo
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), February 14, 2022 – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (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).), manager of the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory, today made public a research announcement soliciting flight projects for in-space production applications(Abbreviation: InSPA) InSPA is an applied research and development program sponsored by NASA and the ISS National Lab aimed at demonstrating space-based manufacturing and production activities by using the unique space environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that could have an economic impact.. With this solicitation, In-Space Production Applications: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, CASIS seeks applied research and development projects leveraging the ISS National Lab within the areas of advanced or exotic materials production and associated technologies.
For this research announcement, flight investigations should demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities that:
- Enable new business growth and capital investment
- Represent scalable and sustainable market opportunities
- Produce reoccurring value with the potential to generate demand for and revenue from access to space
Research selected via this solicitation may be awarded funding to support development, mission integration, and operations for payloads that will be implemented on the ISS.
Last year, CASIS released an ISS National Lab research announcement on advanced materials and manufacturing, and received a robust response of concepts and proposals for consideration. This opportunity will serve to further enable access to the orbiting laboratory for research and development within this strategic focus area.
This research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. Before being invited to submit a full proposal, all interested investigators must submit a Step One: Concept Summary for review. CASIS will host a webinar on February 28, 2022 at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss ISS facilities and capabilities associated with this research announcement. A recording of the webinar will be made available to the research community through the research announcement webpage.
Step One: Concept Summaries must be submitted by end of day on April 8, 2022. Step 2: Full Proposals (from those invited to submit) will be due by end of day June 15, 2022.
To learn more about this opportunity, including how to submit a Step One: Concept Summary, please visit the research announcement webpage. To learn more about the ISS National Lab and the science that it sponsors, please visit issnationallab.org.
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 Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve 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(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.. 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, Inc. (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 NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration, 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 issnationallab.org.
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