International Space Station National Laboratory

The National
Laboratory

Science in Space for the Benefit of Humanity

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

Missions & Launches

Science and R&D Going to Station

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

ISS National Lab Tech
Sessions @ASCEND

Submit your Abstract

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

Facilities Directory

Search Facilities to Help You Conduct
Research on Station

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

Upward

Charting the Microbial Map
What Astronauts Leave Behind

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

International Space
Station Quiz

Test your knowledge about the ISS

The ISS National
Laboratory Missions &
Launches ISS National Lab Tech Sessions @ASCEND Facilities
Directory Upward International Space
Station Quiz

New Podcast: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

News & Updates

December 11, 2025

Genes in Space Alumni Earn Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition

Forbes recognition is testimony not only to the quality of scholars attracted to Genes in SpaceAn annual national research competition for students in grades 7 through 12 to design pioneering biotechnology experiments that are conducted by astronauts on the space station. The program is funded by Boeing and miniPCR bio and supported by the ISS National Laboratory® and New England BioLabs. competition, but also a...

December 4, 2025

CASIS to Manage the International Space Station National Laboratory Through 2030

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration Extends Cooperative AgreementA cooperative agreement is Federal assistance that establishes a relationship between the U.S. Government and a recipient in which the principal purpose of the relationship is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation. Since 2011, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) has managed the National Laboratory® through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA. with CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes). through 2030; affirms successful partnership, pushing the limits of R&D through...

Between a Rocket & a Hard Space, the official podcast of the ISS National Lab, featuring guest Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, chief marketing officer of Margaritaville.

December 2, 2025

New Podcast Episode: Margaritaville in Space

In this podcast episode, we talk with Tamara Baldanza-Dekker and dive (fins up) into the story behind a first-of-its-kind...

Varda's El Segundo headquarters, where all the W-Series vehicles are produced.

November 24, 2025

United Semiconductors and Varda Space Industries Explore New Frontiers

Learn about the Varda Space Industries and United Semiconductors multi-flight joint development agreement that represents a...

Aarthi Vijayakumar with teammates Michelle Sung, Rebecca Li, and David Li at Kennedy Space Center before their Genes in Space project launched in May 2023.

November 12, 2025

Genes in Space Celebrates 10 Years of Student Innovation With New Investigation Currently on...

Discover how Genes in Space empowers student researchers to conduct groundbreaking DNA experiments aboard the International...

Margaritaville unveils Jimmy Buffett-inspired patch.

November 7, 2025

The Story Behind the Margaritaville Mission Patch Inspired by Jimmy Buffett

Read the story behind Margaritaville's first-ever mission patch and their own mission to donate all patch proceeds to support...

Global collaboration and innovation: 25 years of continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.

November 4, 2025

International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence: A Legacy of Global...

As we celebrate 25 years of continuous human presence in orbit, we draw attention to the ISS National Lab—responsible for up...

Podcast #8 with Dr. Ken Savin is live now.

October 31, 2025

New Podcast Episode: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

Tune in now to hear how Dr. Savin’s transition from Earth-bound labs to orbiting science platforms is helping shape the...

MORE NEWS

International Space Station National Laboratory

12 hours ago

Two former Genes in Space™ student research competition winners earned a prestigious distinction from Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2026 (AI division), spotlighting their entrepreneurial impact. Finsam Samson, winner of the 2019 Genes in Space competition, and Selin Kocalar, winner in 2022, both launched genetics research projects to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the program’s mission to prepare the next generation of scientists.

Read the full story: ow.ly/2hOz50XIsIw

#forbes #forbes30under30 #researchinspace #stem #workforcedevelopment #ISSNationalLab ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges through space-based research.

Where? In space.
Low Earth orbit(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. (LEO), approximately 250 miles above the Earth.

Learn More About the ISS National Lab

Research in Space Benefits Humanity

Improving the quality of
life for patients with cancer
and other diseases.

Manufacturing tissues
in space for
regenerative medicine.

Advancing technology
to withstand
harsh conditions.

Growing crops in
remote environments
with limited resources.

In this issue’s cover story, learn about microbes that hitchhike with astronauts, inhabit the space station, and adapt to the unique conditions there. Other features highlight how wave patterns in vibrating fluids could improve heat removal systems and how researchers are propelling bubbles using light to precisely steer fluids—both of which are critically important for future space missions.

EXPLORE RESULTS FROM RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN SPACE

Upward Volume 8, Issue 3 Available Now

In this issue’s cover story, learn about microbes that hitchhike with astronauts, inhabit the space station, and adapt to the unique conditions there. Other features highlight how wave patterns in vibrating fluids could improve heat removal systems and how researchers are propelling bubbles using light to precisely steer fluids—both of which are critically important for future space missions.

Download the Upward Issue

Photo documentation of the Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) platform aboard the International Space Station.

looking for a research opportunity?

National Lab research announcements (NLRAs) seek proposals that advance R&D in key areas with demonstrated potential to develop into sustainable markets and benefit humanity.

View Current Opportunities

New Podcast: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

News & Updates

Genes in Space Alumni Earn Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition

CASIS to Manage the International Space Station National Laboratory Through 2030

New Podcast Episode: Margaritaville in Space

United Semiconductors and Varda Space Industries Explore New Frontiers

Genes in Space Celebrates 10 Years of Student Innovation With New Investigation Currently on...

The Story Behind the Margaritaville Mission Patch Inspired by Jimmy Buffett

International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence: A Legacy of Global...

New Podcast Episode: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Research in Space Benefits Humanity

Improving the quality of
life for patients with cancer
and other diseases.

Manufacturing tissues
in space for
regenerative medicine.

Advancing technology
to withstand
harsh conditions.

Growing crops in
remote environments
with limited resources.

EXPLORE RESULTS FROM RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN SPACE

Upward Volume 8, Issue 3 Available Now

looking for a research opportunity?

ready to EXPLOre?

Stay Connected

New Podcast: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

News & Updates

Genes in Space Alumni Earn Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition

CASIS to Manage the International Space Station National Laboratory Through 2030

New Podcast Episode: Margaritaville in Space

United Semiconductors and Varda Space Industries Explore New Frontiers

Genes in Space Celebrates 10 Years of Student Innovation With New Investigation Currently on...

The Story Behind the Margaritaville Mission Patch Inspired by Jimmy Buffett

International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence: A Legacy of Global...

New Podcast Episode: Between a Rocket & a Hard Space

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Research in Space Benefits Humanity

Improving the quality of life for patients with cancer and other diseases. arrow

Manufacturing tissues in space for regenerative medicine. arrow

Advancing technology to withstand harsh conditions. arrow

Growing crops in remote environments with limited resources. arrow

EXPLORE RESULTS FROM RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN SPACE

Upward Volume 8, Issue 3 Available Now

looking for a research opportunity?

ready to EXPLOre?

Join our mailing list to receive the latest ISS National Lab news and updates.

Improving the quality of
life for patients with cancer
and other diseases.

Manufacturing tissues
in space for
regenerative medicine.

Advancing technology
to withstand
harsh conditions.

Growing crops in
remote environments
with limited resources.