ISS Research Facilities Directory

The Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) is a gravity independent 3D plastic printer currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The AMF produces hardware on-demand in-space for experimentation, tools, parts, education, and microgravity research.

The Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) project is a set of six independent studies of gaseous flames to be conducted in the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR). ACME’s primary and secondary goals are (1) improved fuel efficiency and reduced pollutant production in practical combustion on Earth, and (2) spacecraft fire…

The Advanced Plant Habitat (Plant Habitat) is a fully automated facility that is used to conduct plant bioscience research on the International Space Station (ISS). It occupies the lower half of the EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack and one powered International Subrack Interface Standard (ISIS)…

ADSEP is a fully automated, modular, multi-use single middeck locker processing facility that has been used to conduct a variety of life and physical science experiments and small batch manufacturing simultaneously in up to four cassettes. Temperature control is available (4-40C).

The Animal Enclosure Module (AEM) is used in investigations of the influence of microgravity on rodent physiology and anatomy. Research conducted with the AEM is analogous to the human research program, the objective of which is to extend the human presence safely beyond low-Earth orbit. The hardware is maintained by…

The ArgUS Multi-Payload Carrier provides a payload adaptation to the Bartolomeo platform, which will allow to accommodate up to 10 smaller payloads to fit into 1 Bartolomeo slot, while still offering the infrastructure capabilities of Bartolomeo. Additionally, the ArgUS platform is compatible with all Bartolomeo locations, to allow payloads unobstructed…

A new buzz comes to the International Space Station (ISS): Astrobee. Three free-flying, cube-shaped robots. The robots are designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity to assist astronauts with routine chores, and give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the space station.…

Bartolomeo is the International Space Station’s newest external payloads hosting facility, hosting payload sizes of 1U up to ~ 1 cubic meter, Airbus provides an 'all-in-one mission service' including technical support in preparing the payload, launch and installation, operations and data transfer as well as an optional return to Earth.

The BioFabrication Facility (BFF) is a biomanufacturing platform capable of 3D printing with live cells (human and animal). The facility contains a Z-tower with multiple print heads and a bioreactor on the X-Y print stage. Once printed, cells are conditioned and matured into tissue in ADSEP.

The Biological Research In Canisters (BRIC) facility is comprised of a suite of six distinct hardware configurations. Small biological specimens, typically housed in either Petri plates or culture chambers, are contained within aluminum cylinders or boxes. Investigations study the effects of the microgravity environment on specimens.

The Atmosphere Control Module (ACM, also known as the CO2 Incubator Controller) is a SABL-insert that adds functionality to control the SABL experiment volume atmosphere, typically to 5% CO2 which is the standard concentration used in Earth-based mammalian cell culture.

The BioServe centrifuge is a flight-qualified unit based on the Eppendorf MiniSpin centrifuge and can provide speeds from 800 to 13,400 rpm (100 to 12,100 g) at an accuracy better than 3% . The Centrifuge has two rotors. One is capable of holding up to 12 microcentrifuge tubes ranging in…

The BioServe Microscopy Platform (BSMP) is an integrated suite of hardware allowing astronauts to capture digital, high-definition microscopy images and videos of on orbit experiments. Once captured, the images and videos can be downlinked to Earth and provided to the science team allowing near-real-time feedback of the experiment.

The BioServe Syringe Pump is capable of operating with syringes ranging from 0.5 µl to 60 ml . It offers highly accurate flow rates from 1.28 pl/min to 88.28 ml/min.

The Bone Densitometer (BD) measures X-ray absorption by bone and soft tissue and reports bone density in mice. It can also determine soft-tissue density, lean/fat ratio and total animal mass (i.e., weighing mice in space).

The Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) investigation examines the burning and extinction characteristics of a wide variety of fuel samples in microgravity. The BASS experiment will guide strategies for extinguishing accidental fires in microgravity. BASS results contribute to the combustion computational models used in the design of fire detection…

Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate capillary flows and flows of fluids in containers with complex geometries. Results will improve current computer models that are used by designers of low gravity fluid systems and may improve fluid transfer systems on future spacecraft.

BioCells are a family of BioServe-developed cell culture hardware units roughly analogous in function to cell culture flasks or culture plates (single or multiple well). The BioCell was developed to allow researchers to perform complex laboratory-fidelity cell culture on ISS while meeting NASA's strict guidelines for safety and biological containment.

The BioServe CO₂ Probe is a hand-held, mobile meter used to calibrate other CO₂ sensors on the ISS.

The Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) includes an optics bench, combustion chamber, fuel and oxidizer control, and five different cameras for performing combustion investigations in microgravity.

This is hardware used in the Fluid Boiling and Condensation Experiment. Please see 'FBCE' for all Program Science data for this investigation.

Device for the Study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization (DECLIC) is a multi-user facility developed by the agency Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (French Space Agency, CNES) and flown in collaboration with NASA. It is designed to support experiments in the fields of fluid physics and materials science. Special inserts allow…

EXPRESS Racks are multipurpose payload rack systems that support and store research experiments aboard the ISS. The EXPRESS Racks enable simple integration of multiple payloads with standard interfaces that can accommodate up to ten subrack payloads. Eight heritage EXPRESS Racks and three Basic EXPRESS Racks (BERs) are on ISS. The…

The EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Logistics Carrier (ELC) is a platform designed to support external payloads mounted to the International Space Station (ISS) starboard and port trusses with either deep space or Earth views.

Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) seeks to validate a model for flow boiling critical heat flux (CHF) and develop an integrated two-phase flow boiling and condensation facility for the International Space Station. Data from microgravity and the ground are compared to determine the influence of various forces and processes…

This is hardware used in the Fluid Boiling and Condensation Experiment. Please see 'FBCE' for all Program Science data for this investigation.

The Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) is a complementary fluid physics research facility designed to host investigations in areas such as colloids, gels, bubbles, wetting and capillary action, and phase changes, including boiling and condensation.

The Fruit Fly Lab provides a research platform aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for long-duration fruit fly (Drosophila Melanogaster) experiments in space. Such experiments will examine how microgravity and other aspects of the space environment affect these insects, providing information relevant to long-term human spaceflight, in particular the response…

Redwire’s Greenhouse provides a privately-owned and operated, commercial platform capable of growing plants from seed to maturity in space.

The Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) is a fully-enclosed test tube allowing for controlled and sequential mixing of two to four fluids in microgravity while meeting NASA safety standards for containment. A Group Activation Pack (GAP) provides a common activation mechanism for eight FPAs.

The main purpose of the Handheld HDPCG (High Density Protein Crystal Growth) experiment is to grow large, well ordered protein crystals in microgravity for highly medically relevant proteins that are difficult to crystallize in 1-g. From these crystals, molecular structures will be obtained and new drugs can be developed.

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE) will study the particle dynamics of magnetorheological fluids (fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields) to help understand adaptable new fluids for use in such applications as brake systems and robotics.

The KEyence Research Microscope Testbed (KERMIT) is a commercial off-the-shelf microscope that provides researchers with fundamental microscope capabilities, including state-of-the-art imaging and analysis modules. KERMIT is designed to streamline imaging and analysis through a single platform with easy operation by the International Space Station crew and from the ground. KERMIT…

The Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) is a sealed work area that accommodates life science and technology investigations in a “workbench” type environment. Due to its larger size design, two crew members can work in the LSG simultaneously.

The Maintenance Work Area (MWA) consists of three major components: MWA Work Surface Area (WSA), MWA Containment System, and MWA Utility Kit. Additionally, the MWA Utility Strip may be used in conjunction with the MWA Containment System.

The Microgravity-based Automated Manufacturing and Bioprocessing Outpost (MAMBO) is a facility built specifically for payloads larger than CubeLabs and uses a tray insert as the platform for payload development.

MSTIC is designed to produce semiconductors and metallic films in space. It includes a swappable production vacuum chamber, swappable gas cylinders, a crew serviceable computer and high voltage power supplies to produce a fully contained autonomous sputtering system.

The Materials Science Research Rack-1 (MSRR-1) is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. MSRR-1 can accommodate and support diverse Experiment Modules (EMs). Many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing…

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a rack-level payload facility located in the U.S. Laboratory module on the International Space Station (ISS). MSG provides resources such as power, data, video, heat rejection, vacuum, nitrogen and containment for investigations. The facility is well suited for handling hazardous materials when crew are…

Mochii is a miniature scanning electron microscope (SEM) with spectroscopy to conduct real-time, on-site imaging and compositional measurements of particles on the International Space Station (ISS). Such particles can cause vehicle and equipment malfunctions and threaten crew health, but currently, samples must be returned to Earth for analysis, leaving crew…

The Multi-Purpose International Space Station Experiment platform (MISSE) is a commercial facility on the ISS exterior that enables exposure to the space environment (typically 6 - 12 months). MISSE provides a unique opportunity for users to test materials, coatings, electronics, sensors, actuators, solar cells, and other technologies in the extreme…

Each MVP unit accommodates multiple experiment modules, which provide 2-levels of containment with standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces which may be accessed on orbit or controlled remotely or via a pre-programmed timeline. The uses of the MVP are numerous, such as cell culture, Drosophila, aquatics, plants, algae, invertebrate organisms and…

MUSES is a two-axis gimbaling system designed to estimate the platform pointing direction and accurately point instruments toward earth surface targets or a prescribed path on the earth’s surface. MUSES operates on the external International Space Station (ISS) Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC-4), and controlled from the Teledyne Operations Center…

Drug testing and development, as well as continued understanding of organ cellular physiology, can be hampered by the 2D pressures found in in vitro studies in Earth's gravity. As such, the Cellular Pump system was designed to support 3D culture as part of the NIH-funded Chips in Space initiative. A…

Grow plants in space inside the Redwire Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (PONDS).

The Redwire Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory – Bio-crystal Optimization eXperiments (PIL-BOX) provides services to pharmaceutical and institutional researchers seeking to use target molecules in their crystalline state to reformulate existing products and/or develop

The Powered Ascent Utility Locker (PAUL) is a facility built specifically for CubeLabs which require power during ascent or descent phases of flight. PAULs provide the same power and data interfaces as the TangoLab facility.

The handheld PCF assembly harnesses a unique arrangement of materials in order to encourage crystallization through the creation of a temperature gradient. Experiment solutions are prepared individually and stored at a specified temperature (between -95 and 37 °C). On orbit, a crew member will initiate the growth process by altering…

The Rhodium Science Chamber™ 05CT (RhSC-05CT) is a configurable, proven ISS facility capable of supporting a diverse range of scalable, high-throughput science missions from STEM projects to advanced biotech programs. Each RhSC-05CT provides researchers with ten Rhodium Cryotubes (5 mL each Rhodium Cryotube; 50 mL total volume). With the capacity…

The Rhodium Science Chamber™ 1LIV (RhSC-1LIV) is a configurable, proven ISS facility capable of supporting a diverse range of scalable, high-throughput science missions from STEM projects to advanced biotech programs. Each RhSC-1LIV provides researchers with thirty six Rhodium Cryotubes (5 mL each Rhodium Cryotube; 180 mL total volume; total internal…

The Rhodium Science Chamber™ 32CB (RhSC-32CB) is a configurable, proven ISS facility capable of supporting a diverse range of scalable, high-throughput science missions from STEM projects to advanced biotech programs. Each RhSC-32CB provides researchers with ten Rhodium Culture Bags (32 mL each Rhodium Cryotube; 320 mL total volume). The Rhodium…

The Rhodium Science Chamber™ 4MLS (RhSC-4MLS) is a configurable, proven ISS facility capable of supporting a diverse range of scalable, high-throughput science missions from STEM projects to advanced biotech programs. Each RhSC-4MLS provides researchers with forty two Rhodium Cryotubes (5 mL each Rhodium Cryotube; 210 mL total volume). The RhSC-4MLS…

The Rhodium SOPHIA™ 01 (RhSOF-01) is a configurable, proven ISS facility capable of supporting a diverse range of scalable, high-throughput science missions from STEM projects to advanced biotech programs. Each RhSOF-01S provides researchers with twelve Rhodium BioCuvettes (5 mL each Rhodium BioCuvette; 144 mL total volume). The RhSOF-01 can provide…

The Rhodium Variable Gravity Simulator (RhVGS-01) is the only high throughput, low speed centrifuge on the ISS capable of producing forces equal to Lunar, Martian and Earth gravity during sample incubation. A total of 36 Rhodium Cryotubes (5 mL each Rhodium Cryotube; 180 mL total volume) can be tests during…

The Ring Sheared Drop investigation examines the formation and flow of amyloids without the complications associated with the solid walls of a container, because in microgravity, surface tension provides containment of the liquid. Fibrous, extracellular protein deposits found in organs and tissues, amyloids are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as…

The Rodent Research Facility provides rodent housing on board the International Space Station (ISS). Animal research is essential for understanding the impacts of spaceflight on the systems of the human body, and for development of potential therapies that will ease harmful responses to space flight. The advisory panel for Animal…

Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) is a hardware insert for the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) that enables a wide range of solid-material combustion and fire suppression studies, providing common infrastructure including sample holders, flow control, test sections, external radiant heaters, igniters, and diagnostics for multiple investigations. While SoFIE initially…

The Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) facility objective is to advance understanding of the processes involved in semiconductor crystal growth. SUBSA offers a gradient freeze furnace for materials science investigations that can reach 850C. Samples are contained in transparent quartz or ceramic ampoules with high definition video…

The Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL) is a multi-function incubator/freezer that supports space life science experiments on the ISS by providing temperature control between -5°C and +43°C for biological and related test materials. Additionally, it can be configured to provide a 5% CO2 environment for cell culture studies and to…

The Space Automated Lab Incubator (SALI) is a single middeck locker-sized unit that can provide a temperature controlled environment for research support onboard the ISS. SALI can actively heat and cool its thermal control chamber over a continuous temperature range from -20.0 °C to +48.0 °C.