ISS National Lab offers up to $750,000 for technology development in space

Written by Copernical Team Wednesday, 15 May 2024 15:36

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 15, 2024

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is calling for flight concepts for technology development that use the space environment of the orbiting laboratory. This solicitation, "Technology Development and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab," invites proposals in various technology areas, including chemical and material synthesis, translational medicine, in-space ed

ISS National Lab offers up to $750,000 for technology development in space
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 15, 2024

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is calling for flight concepts for technology development that use the space environment of the orbiting laboratory. This solicitation, "Technology Development and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab," invites proposals in various technology areas, including chemical and material synthesis, translational medicine, in-space edge computing, and in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). It also includes the use of space station remote sensing data for geospatial analytics.

Space-based technology development is a strategic priority for the ISS National Lab, offering a chance for accelerated technology maturation that can advance life on Earth and build commerce in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Respondents may propose using the orbiting platform to develop, test, or mature products and processes with potential for near-term economic impact. Selected flight concepts may receive funding for mission integration and operations support on the space station.

The research announcement follows a two-step proposal submission process. Interested investigators must first submit a Step 1: Concept Summary. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the ISS National Lab, will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 22, at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss space station facilities and capabilities associated with this research announcement.

Concept Summaries are due by July 12, 2024. Full Proposals from those invited to submit are due by October 2, 2024. Multiple projects are expected to be funded, with up to $750,000 available.

Emphasis areas include:

- Hardware prototype testing: Innovations addressing hardware product development gaps in electronics, semiconductors, nanotechnologies, robotics, sensors, and communications.

- Process improvements: Using the space station to advance facilities for high-throughput investigations or new methodologies for spaceflight research and development.

- Advanced materials: Research on next-generation production methods, novel materials, and materials with unique properties.

- Translational medicine: Accelerated disease modeling, analyzing macromolecular structures for drug design, and novel drug delivery and diagnostic services.

A project from the University of Southern California, funded by a prior ISS National Lab Research Announcement, tested a system to autonomously dock and undock CubeSats on the space station. The CLINGERS system combined a mechanical docking system with rendezvous sensors to dock with both active and passive objects, facilitating the safe movement of objects in space.

For more information, including how to submit a Step 1: Concept Summary, visit the research announcement webpage.