April 2024
Welcome to Space Station Spotlight, a new monthly newsletter from the ISS National Laboratory. Here’s where you can find all the latest R&D happenings on the space station, see what our partners are up to, and learn how you can elevate your research to new heights by leveraging the unique space environment.
What’s new at the ISS National Lab?
ISSInternational Space Station crew members worked on an investigation to produce a type of nanoparticle that could be used for precision drug delivery and to treat diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and neurological disorders.
Crew members worked on an investigation using NASA’s Astrobee robots to test innovative mapping technology by creating detailed 3D maps of the space station.
The Dragon capsule successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, returning several ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations.
The 13th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference(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. will be held in Boston from July 29 to August 1. Don’t miss early bird pricing—register now.
Partner News
NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration appointed a new ISS program manager. Dana Weigel, the first woman to serve as ISS program manager, is excited about the increasing commercial activity on station and is focused on enabling a smooth transition from the ISS to the future commercial LEO(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. destinations (CLDs).
Boeing’s Starliner arrived at the launch pad for its first crewed test flight. Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner was installed on the Atlas 5 rocket, which will launch the crewed spacecraft to the ISS no earlier than May 6.
Funding Opportunities
Step 1 for the advanced materials and manufacturing solicitation is closing soon. The ISS National Lab seeks proposals for projects to advance 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. in the areas of advanced materials and manufacturing. Concept summaries are due May 2, 2024. View the concept details.
Results
A new issue of Upward was released. Read about exciting results from space-based R&D in the official magazine of the ISS National Lab. Download Volume 7, Issue 1, and other issues.
Researchers advanced new technologies using the Astrobees. Read the Upward feature “Free-Flying Robots in Space” to see how investigators used the robotic helpers to test innovative new technologies for capturing tumbling satellites in space and identifying anomalies in spacecraft and other equipment based on changes in sound.
Workforce Development and STEM Education
The White House highlighted an ISS National Lab educational partnership. A White House call to actionto bring the benefits of space to communities across the U.S. highlighted the ISS National Lab’s partnership with Rosie Riveters, a national nonprofit STEM education organization, to bring STEM opportunities to girls.
Student-led research launched to station on SpaceX CRS-30. Three student projects were sent to the ISS through the Higher Orbits Go For Launch! program: one studying iron levels in fruit flies, another exploring yeast growth, and the third examining whether a fungus could provide radiation protection.
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