CASIS Releases Second ISS National Lab Research Announcement Focused on Technology Advancements

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), April 7, 2021 – 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).), manager of the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) U.S. National Laboratory, today released a new research announcement soliciting flight concepts for technology advancement studies and applied research that would utilize the space-based environment of the orbiting laboratory. With this solicitation, Technology Advancement and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab: Cycle Two, CASIS seeks project concepts for investigations to be performed on the space station within the areas of applied research and development, translational medicine, technology readiness level(Abbreviation: TRL) A measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology. There are nine technology readiness levels, and technology progresses from TRL 1 to TRL 9. maturation, and technology demonstration.

Space-based technology development and demonstration is valuable because it provides an opportunity for accelerated technology maturation. Earlier this year, CASIS released an initial research announcement focused on technology advancements leveraging the ISS National Lab. That research announcement received a robust response of concepts for consideration, and this opportunity will serve to further enable access to the orbiting laboratory for research and development within this strategic focus area. Through this research announcement, respondents may propose to use the unique ISS environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that have a demonstrated potential to produce near-term and positive direct or indirect economic impact.

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 April 21, 2021 at 12 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 May 24, 2021. Step 2 Full Proposals (from those invited to submit) will be due by end of day July 12, 2021.

Flight concepts selected via this research announcement may be awarded funding to enable mission integration and operations support for projects that will be implemented on the ISS.

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.

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About the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. 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 (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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