October 2025
Welcome to Space Station Spotlight, a 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 to elevate your research to new heights by leveraging the unique space environment.
What’s new at the ISS National Lab?
The successful launch of HTV-X represents an important milestone in international space collaboration and provides an additional pathway for researchers to access space through the ISS National Lab. Learn more about the research that launched.
On this episode of Between a Rocket & a Hard Space, Savin shares his excitement about the future of space-based biomedical research to improve health outcomes on Earth and delivers some surprise answers during our rapid-fire Q&A.
Nearly 60 research teams presented findings from space-based R&D during the three days of virtual sessions, hosted by the ISS National Lab, NASA, and the American Astronautical Society. If you missed it, no need to worry—watch the recorded sessions.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we explore how space-based R&D is helping unlock new possibilities in cancer treatment, providing hope to millions of people worldwide. View the photos.
From astronauts playing instruments in space to musical moments inspired by the ISS and beyond, this photo essay captures the mysteries—and music—of space through pictures. View the photos.
Partner News
Vast is in the final stages of building its Haven-1 space station. If the company launches Haven-1 in 2026 as planned, it would become the first commercial space station in low Earth orbit.
Starlab Space partners revealed a full-scale mockup of the commercial space station. The mockup was on display at the International Astronautical Congress for attendees to view. Starlab is a joint venture between Voyager Technologies and Airbus, Mitsubishi Corp., MDA, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services.
Axiom Space appointed Jonathan Cirtain as its new CEO. Cirtain, a physicist and technology executive with experience in the space and nuclear industries, will also continue in his role as president of the company.
Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales signed an MOU to form a satellite and space alliance. The three European companies intend to bring together their space activities to form a new company. The new company aims to strengthen the European space ecosystem and foster innovation and technological progress by combining R&D capabilities.
SpaceX’s 11th test flight of its Starship megarocket was a success. Both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage returned to Earth in precision splashdowns. The company’s next iteration, Starship Version 3, will be even larger, with an additional five feet in height.
The U.S. Space Force chose Blue Origin to construct a new payload processing facility. The new facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will help process spacecraft in Florida and is scheduled to be operational in 2028.
Funding Opportunities
An NSF-funded solicitation on transport phenomena is accepting project Feasibility Review Forms. Up to $3.6 million in total funding is available for projects that leverage the ISS National Lab to advance fundamental science related to fluid dynamics, thermal transport systems, combustion, nanoscale interactions, multiphase processes, and more. Find out how to submit a concept on our solicitation webpage.
Results
The most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab, is online. Explore valuable findings from space-based R&D—download the current and past issues here.
VRCORE Education launched a new virtual reality lesson called ISS: Curiosity in Orbit. The lesson, which schools and other educational organizations can purchase for students, was developed as part of an ISS National Lab-sponsored education and workforce development project.
The FDA approved a new injectable formulation of Merck & Co.’s Keytruda® cancer therapeutic that combines pembrolizumab, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Keytruda®, with an enzyme. Through ISS National Lab-sponsored research, Merck identified conditions that yield uniform crystalline suspensions of pembrolizumab with properties that would enable delivery via injection instead of the original intravenous delivery.
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