#United States #NASA #Kennedy Space Center #International Space Station #Technology Development

Funding Opportunity from the ISS National Lab

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory has announced an exciting opportunity for innovators and researchers. They are currently inviting flight concepts that leverage the unique environment of the orbiting laboratory for technology advancement. This initiative, titled 'Technology Advancement and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab', has allocated up to $650,000 in funding across various technology sectors.

This solicitation targets a range of technology areas, emphasizing the pivotal role of space-based environments in pioneering advancements. Areas of exploration include chemical and material synthesis, translational medicine, in-space edge computing, and in-space servicing, among others. The ISS National Lab aims to use this initiative as a means to catalyze development and demonstrate technologies that could potentially enhance quality of life and foster commercial opportunities within low Earth orbit (LEO).

Focus Areas

Respondents to this solicitation can focus on several significant themes:

• - Hardware Prototype Testing: Aimed at tackling hardware development challenges, particularly in electronics, semiconductors, robotics, and more.
• - Process Improvements: Utilizing the ISS facilities as a testbed for high-throughput investigations, promoting advancements in methodologies for spaceflight research.
• - Advanced Materials: Engaging in research that explores next-generation materials and innovative production methods.
• - Translational Medicine: Accelerating disease modeling and drug delivery services through space-based research methodologies.

Previous Success Stories

As a demonstration of potential success, the NASA project Kall Morris Inc. was launched aboard SpaceX's recent Commercial Resupply Services mission. This project, previously funded by the ISS National Lab, focuses on the REACCH capture system designed for space debris removal. Utilizing Astrobees, autonomous robots on board the ISS, this project aims to bring the capture system closer to commercialization, significantly reducing risks to existing space infrastructures.

Proposal Submission Process

To apply for funding, interested parties must navigate a two-step proposal submission process. Initially, all applicants will need to submit a Step 1 Concept Summary by March 3, 2025. This will be followed by a review and an invitation extended to selected investigators to submit a full proposal by May 19, 2025. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), which manages the ISS National Lab, will also host a webinar on January 23 to provide further insights into this research opportunity.

Looking Ahead

The ISS National Lab is committed to fostering research that utilizes its microgravity research environment to support not only NASA but a wider range of science and technology initiatives from various sectors, including government and academia. This solicitation is one of many efforts to harness space for innovations with direct terrestrial benefits, promoting a sustainable market in LEO and advancing scientific literacy for future generations.

For more details about the submission process and eligibility criteria, please visit the ISS National Lab’s official website. This is a pivotal moment for researchers and businesses to engage with space technology and make significant strides toward a future where innovation thrives above Earth.

Conclusion

The ISS National Laboratory persists as a groundbreaking setting for technological and scientific advancement, a true testament to humanity's quest for knowledge and innovation. With funding opportunities like this, the path to significant breakthroughs in both space and terrestrial benefits is clearer than ever.