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?
The 13th annual ISSRDC wrapped up in Boston and was a big success.
The agenda was packed with engaging keynote addresses, exciting panel discussions, informative technical sessions, valuable networking events, and more. Check out the ISSRDC 2024 Online Series for any sessions you missed or would like to watch again.
Northrup Grumman’s 21st Commercial Resupply Services mission launched to the ISS.
This mission carried more than 20 ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads, including an NSF-funded project studying the ability of tiny, engineered particles to self-propel, with applications from drug delivery to water desalination. Learn more on our NG-21 launch page.
A new CASIS “Forging the Path” piece discusses the value of cancer research in space.
In the piece, Davide Marotta, ISS National Lab program director for in-space biomanufacturing, highlights the intersection of space-based R&D and the President’s Cancer Moonshot initiative.
Five research projects were selected through the inaugural Igniting Innovation solicitation.
This ISS National Lab research announcement, in partnership with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences division, sought research aiming to harness the unique microgravity environment to advance cancer R&D. The five selected projects were announced at ISSRDC.
Partner News
Vast will offer microgravity lab space on its Haven-1 space station. Commercial space station developer Vast partnered with two companies to provide lab facilities for microgravity research on its upcoming Haven-1 station. Haven-1 is slated to launch no earlier than August 2025.
Redwire Corporation acquired satellite builder Hera Systems. The acquisition of Hera Systems, advertised as a developer of satellite buses for national security customers, marks Redwire’s tenth acquisition.
SpaceX plans to build three new rocket landing zones on Florida’s Space Coast. The new landing zones will increase the number of missions SpaceX can launch and are expected to accommodate Starship launches.
Axiom Space’s CEO will transition to the company’s board of directors. After serving eight years as CEO, Mike Suffredini will take on a new position on Axiom’s board of directors. Kam Ghaffarian, Axiom’s executive chair and co-founder, will serve as interim CEO.
Funding Opportunities
Results
A new 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.
ISS research from Notre Dame could help revolutionize early cancer detection. Read the Upward feature “Harnessing the Power of Space Bubbles” to see how the research team is leveraging microgravity to study the formation of bubbles that can be used to concentrate trace substances in liquids. Results could significantly enhance biosensing technology.
Researchers published results from the first archaeological study in space. The research team captured images of six areas inside the ISS and assessed them from an archaeological perspective to see how the areas and tools within them are used. Results, published in PLOS One, could help improve the design of future space stations and other crewed spacecraft.
Stem Cell Reports published results from NSF-funded muscle tissue chip research on the ISS. The research team developed a skeletal muscle tissue chip system in microgravity that models key aspects of sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). The model could be used to study muscle deterioration and test potential treatments for conditions that cause muscle loss.
Workforce Development and STEM Education
Genes in Space announced the winners of its 2024 student research competition at ISSRDC. New York high school students Isabelle Chuang and Julia Gross are this year’s winners, and astronauts will conduct their experiment on the ISS in the coming year.
Four former Genes in Space student participants led a fireside chat at ISSRDC 2024. They discussed the program’s impact on them and how it helped shape their academic and career paths.
An ISSRDC panel discussed expanding access to space through inclusion and workforce development. The panel brought together diverse voices to show that space is for everyone and to highlight the transformative power of inclusive practices in the space industry.
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