Fundamental Science

Juvenile bobtail squid swim in seawater just after hatching.

Life Science

The International Space Station provides a unique platform for studying the effects of spaceflight on living organisms. Microgravity enables cells to form complex 3D structures that are more similar functionally to tissues and organs in the human body than cells cultured in the 1g environment of Earth. Space-based research using model systems like tissue chips engineered to culture human cells so that they replicate tissues and organs in the human body can provide important insights into disease progression and serve as a valuable platform for drug development and testing to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, and others. Other examples of spaceflight R&D in life sciences include protein crystal growth (crystals grown in microgravity are often larger and more well-ordered than those grown on Earth), stem cell research, biotechnologies, plant biology, crop production, and more.

The Ring Sheared Drop system on the ISS

Physical Science

In the weightless environment on the station, matter behaves differently.  This enables researchers to conduct physical sciences experiments that are difficult or even impossible on the ground. On Earth gravity creates convection in fluids and soft matter resulting in the movement of materials of different density, for example hotter and therefore less dense material in fluids will rise and colderdenser material will sink. The lack of buoyancy-driven convection in microgravity allows for the study of fundamental fluid physics and materials science phenomena leading to advances in existing materials through structure modification and processing and the design of new and better materials. Combustion studies in space provide insights into the basic principles of flame structures leading to advances in fire safety and increasing the efficiency of combustion processes used on Earth resulting in cleaner energy and a cleaner environment. Other examples of spaceflight R&D in physical sciences include advanced manufacturing, alloy development, energy transfer and storage, biomedical devices, and more.