January 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.

Spotlight Newsletter Subscribe Button

What’s new at the ISS National Lab?

The Cygnus space freighter from is pictured with the Canadarm2 robotic arm in February 2022.

Members of the media connected with researchers conducting science investigations in space to learn more about projects flying on Northrop Grumman’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services (NG-20) mission.

LambdaVision’s tiny protein-based retinal implant.

LambdaVision launched an investigation to help progress toward its in-space manufacturing goal of producing high-quality artificial retinas to help restore significant vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

A view of University of Connecticuts cartilage tissue chip.

A project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by the University of Connecticut will test how well a nanotherapeutic helps to regenerate cartilage.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Spaceborne Computer-2 onboard the International Space Station

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) launched its Spaceborne Computer-2, a commercial off-the-shelf system with software that allows it to operate in the harsh space environment. The Spaceborne Computer could streamline space-based research by providing quicker in-orbit data processing.

Partner News

Axiom Space launched four humans into space. Along with the four crew members, more than two dozen ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads, including a bevy of life science investigations and technology demonstration projects, traveled to the space station on Axiom Space’s third private astronaut mission (Ax-3).

A project that launched on Ax-3 is focused on brain organoids. An investigation from the National Stem Cell Foundation aims to explore the role inflammation plays in degenerative brain conditions like Parkinson’s disease and primary progressive multiple sclerosis to improve treatments for patients on Earth.

Funding Opportunities

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman work in the Microgravity Science Glovebox onboard the ISS

An ISS National Lab research announcement on technology development is now open. Through this opportunity, researchers can propose to use the space station to develop, test, or mature products or processes. Concept summaries are due on March 4, 2024. See full details here.

Results

The ISS National Lab highlights 10 years of Cygnus science. Over the past decade, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft has delivered dozens of payloads to the ISS. In a recent photo essay, the ISS National Lab looks back on important scientific research facilitated by Cygnus.

ISS National Lab cancer research efforts highlighted in Politico. A recent article from Politico discusses the benefit of conducting cancer research in space and highlights multiple ISS National Lab experiments that are making an impact.

The Northrup Grumman Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grip of the Canadarm2 robotic in April 2023

Workforce Development and STEM Education

Astronaut Joseph R. Tanner, STS-115 mission specialist, waves during a spacewalk

The ISS National Lab announced its 2023 James A. Abrahamson fellow. Emma Green, a recent graduate of Illinois College was selected as the newest James A. Abrahamson fellow. She will work alongside mentors at the ISS National Lab to develop and hone the necessary skills to help her succeed in her future career.

Genes in Space™ is expanding its capabilities. Boeing is partnering with NASA and the ISS National Lab on a projectthat will test protocols to help expand the current Genes in Space toolkit and offer more possibilities to student researchers.

Make a Stellar Impact With a Donation to the ISS National Lab

Want to make an impact and support science in space for the benefit of humanity? Click here to donate online, make a gift of crypto or stock, or contribute through your donor-advised fund.

iss external exp66

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Subscribe to Space Station Spotlight Newsletter
Subscribe to ISS National Lab
Hidden
Do not Subscribe
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.