ISS National Lab Unveils Funding Opportunity of Up to $650,000 for Advancements in Low Earth Orbit Technology

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is soliciting flight concepts for technology advancement that utilizes the space-based environment of the orbiting laboratory. This solicitation, "Technology Advancement and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab," is open to a broad range of technology areas, including chemical and material synthesis in space, translational medicine, in-space edge computing, and in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. It also encompasses the application of space station remote sensing data to improve geospatial analytics for commercial use.

The development and demonstration of space-based technologies is a key strategic focus for the ISS National Lab. This initiative offers a chance to fast-track technology maturation, potentially leading to innovations that enhance human life and foster commercial activities in low Earth orbit (LEO).

In this research announcement, participants are invited to leverage the distinctive setting of the orbiting platform to innovate, refine, or advance products and processes that show promise for generating immediate and beneficial economic effects, either directly or indirectly. Concepts for flights chosen through this announcement may receive financial support to facilitate mission integration and operational assistance for initiatives intended for execution on the space station.

Key focus areas for this solicitation encompass, but are not restricted to:

• Hardware prototype testing: Innovations addressing hardware product development gaps and emerging technology proliferation in the areas of electronics; semiconductors; nanotechnologies; robotics; sensors; and communications, remote sensing, computer, and satellite technology.

• Process improvements: Use of the space station as a test bed to advance the development of facilities for high-throughput investigations or to demonstrate new methodologies for spaceflight research and development, or the use of space-based data to facilitate modeling of industrial systems.

• Advanced materials: Current advanced materials research that addresses the development of next-generation production methods, testing of novel materials, and the exploitation of materials with unique properties.

• Translational medicine: Validation of accelerated disease modeling, analyzing macromolecular structures for drug design, and demonstration of novel drug delivery and diagnostic services.

As an example, on SpaceX's most recent Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA to the space station, Kall Morris Inc., launched a project funded through a prior ISS National Lab technology development solicitation. The project is testing the REACCH capture system for space debris removal using the Astrobees, free-flying autonomous robots on the space station, bringing the capture system closer to commercialization. The system could reduce risk to current space-based infrastructure and clear orbital slots for future infrastructure. 

This research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. Before being invited to submit a full proposal, all interested investigators must submit a Step 1: Concept Summary for review. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™, manager of the ISS National Lab, will host a webinar on Thursday, January 23, at 1 p.m. EST to discuss space station facilities and capabilities associated with this research announcement. Register in advance at the link. 

Step 1: All Concept Summaries need to be submitted by the close of business on March 3, 2025. Step 2: Full Proposals from selected invitees must be submitted by the end of the day on May 19, 2025. It is anticipated that several projects will receive funding through this research announcement, with a total funding pool of up to $650,000.

For more information about this opportunity, including how to submit a Step 1: Concept Summary, please visit the research announcement webpage. To learn more about the ISS National Lab and the science that it sponsors, please visit our website.

Download a high-resolution image for this release: Astronaut Suni Williams Works With Astrobee

Information on the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory^® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS^®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS^® accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.