posted 07-13-2011 01:37 PM               

NASA Selects Nonprofit to Manage Space Station National Lab Research

NASA has selected the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space Inc. (CASIS) to develop and manage the U.S. portion of the International Space Station that will be operated as a national laboratory.

At the conclusion of successful negotiations, the independent, nonprofit research management organization will help ensure the station's unique capabilities are available to the broadest possible cross-section of the U.S. scientific, technological and industrial communities.

"The space station is the centerpiece of NASA's human spaceflight activities, and it is truly a national asset," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "This agreement helps us ensure the station will be available for broad, meaningful and sustained use."

CASIS will be located at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The organization will increase station use to maximize the public's return on its investment by managing its diversified research and development portfolio based on needs for basic and applied research in a variety of fields.

CASIS will identify opportunities for non-NASA uses linking scientific review and economic value, and will match potential research and development opportunities with funding sources.

The organization also will increase awareness among schools and students about using the station as a learning platform.

NASA issued a cooperative agreement notice on Feb. 14 to seek a management partner for the portion of the station designated a national laboratory in 2005. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010, which extended station operations until at least 2020, also directed NASA to establish this organization. The cooperative agreement initially will have a value of up to $15 million per year.

posted 09-14-2022 03:49 PM               

NASA Extends International Space Station National Lab Management

NASA has extended its cooperative agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) through 2027 to help manage the U.S. segment of the International Space Station, which is designated as a national laboratory. CASIS is enabling NASA to continue maximizing space station science and help create a seamless transition to commercial low-Earth orbit destinations.

The International Space Station National Laboratory (ISS National Lab) and its users will continue to conduct science, applied research and development, technology demonstrations, education, and public engagement for the benefit of humanity.

"We are excited to continue NASA's partnership with CASIS to enable more research and deliver Earth benefits using the unique microgravity environment of space," said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and NASA liaison to the ISS National Lab. "Extending our cooperative agreement through 2027 now is important to provide continuity for our user community while we look toward how this model should evolve as we begin the transition to commercial low-Earth orbit destinations later in the decade."

The benefits that come from a variety of research and operations in space are bolstered by CASIS and strive toward improving humankind's well-being on Earth.

In the past 10 years alone more than 150 peer reviewed articles have resulted from ISS National Lab sponsored research and development, lending credibility and prestige to research conducted on the space station.

One such benefit of the unique microgravity environment of the space station is the Endothelial Cells in Microgravity as a Model System for Evaluation of Cancer Therapy Toxicity (Angiex Cancer Therapy) investigation. Angiex aims to culture endothelial cells (ECs) in a space environment to improve testing methods for cancer treatment on Earth. Results may create a unique model system for designing safer drugs targeting the vasculature of cancer tumors. And the successful creation of a model system from ECs cultured in microgravity may help pharmaceutical companies design safer vascular targeted drugs.

Another benefit enabled by CASIS is NASA's ADVASC (Advanced Astroculture) system. Station crews successfully grew two generations of Arabidopsis plants, a model organism that is well understood and often used in fundamental biology experiments. Scientists adapted the ADVASC system for use in air purification on Earth. Initially used to prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, the technology drew the attention of winemakers, who used it in their cellars to enhance storage conditions. However, multiple companies also now use this technology in air purifiers that were shown to be effective in eliminating the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The initial cooperative agreement with CASIS was awarded in 2011 and NASA previously extended the agreement through 2024.

Since the initial award, the ISS National Lab has selected more than 500 payloads to launch to the orbiting laboratory. The payloads represent more than 600 investigations in areas such as informing drug development, conducting student-developed experiments, producing unique materials such as optical fibers, developing regenerative medicine capabilities, and performing investigations in fundamental physics and life sciences – often in partnership with other government agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. This research portfolio represents a growing community of researchers, companies, and investors wanting to leverage and expand the use of low-Earth orbit.

"For more than a decade, CASIS has been partnering with the International Space Station Program and the low-Earth orbit user community to enable research on station, and we're enthusiastic about continuing that work through this extension," said Joel Montalbano, program manager for the International Space Station.

posted 12-05-2025 10:51 AM               

CASIS to Manage the International Space Station National Laboratory Through 2030

NASA Extends Cooperative Agreement, Affirms Successful CASIS Partnership Pushing the Limits of R&D through the ISS National Lab to Benefit Humanity

NASA has extended its Cooperative Agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) to manage the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory through 2030. The ISS National Lab was established through an act of U.S. Congress to open access and opportunity for researchers to leverage the unique space-based environment to bring value to humanity and build a robust market in low Earth orbit (LEO).

CASIS has managed the ISS National Lab since 2011, driving new markets and developing partnerships to explore beyond Earth's gravitational force. The ISS National Lab is responsible for up to 50% of NASA's flight allocation for space station cargo resupply missions and up to 50% of U.S. Operating Crew time dedicated to supporting science. As such, the ISS National Lab is a critical component to furthering research initiatives and discovery in LEO. In partnership with NASA, CASIS has also supported the validation of new technologies and facilities in space to broaden capabilities for researchers while laying the foundation for a seamless transition to commercial LEO destinations in the future.

Below are some highlights from the 14-year tenure of CASIS as manager of the ISS National Lab:

• During CASIS management, more than 940 ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads have launched to the orbiting outpost to advance research in critical areas of study like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, in-space manufacturing, advanced materials, physical sciences, communications technology, and more.
  
  
• Nearly 60% of payloads launched during CASIS management are from private-sector entities. From Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, the ISS National Lab has created a robust pipeline of commercial research that has pushed advancements in pharmaceutical development, advanced communications, consumer goods, and more.
  
  
• More than 630 peer-reviewed studies related to ISS National Lab-sponsored research have been published. These studies lay the groundwork for future applications that will bring significant value to humanity.
  
  
• Startups leveraging the ISS National Lab have raised nearly $2.5 billion in funding after completion of their spaceflight projects. This funding alone represents more than 10 times NASA's financial commitment to CASIS to manage the ISS National Lab since 2011. Many of these startups were awarded the Technology in Space Prize, funded by CASIS and Boeing in partnership with the MassChallenge startup accelerator program. This year, CASIS also established its own Orbital Edge Accelerator program, wherein six startups were selected to receive $500,000 each from global investment partners and the ability to launch a project to station through the ISS National Lab.
  
  
• CASIS has established long-standing partnerships with government agencies like the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to advance critical fundamental science in both the physical and life sciences. Over the years, more than 85 projects have been funded through these government organizations.
  
  
• In 2024, the ISS National Lab partnered with NASA's Biological and Physical Sciences Division on the Igniting Innovation solicitation and awarded $7 million to five multiflight projects to advance valuable cancer research.
  
  
• When CASIS assumed management of the ISS National Lab, there were two commercially owned and operated facilities on the space station. Now, the ISS National Lab supports 25 such facilities, significantly expanding capabilities for users. The orbiting outpost not only provides a novel environment for experimentation but also contains many of the same laboratory tools available in traditional lab settings on Earth.
  
  
• CASIS has supported ISS National Lab-related educational programs at every age level to help prepare the next generation of researchers, engineers, and explorers. For example, the annual Genes in Space™ research competition launches student-designed DNA experiments to the space station, and these projects have resulted in several peer-reviewed publications. The ISS National Lab has collaborated with entities like Mattel (to send Barbie to space), NPR's Science Friday, Marvel Entertainment, and Nickelodeon to expand educational outreach and introduce students to space-based R&D.

"For nearly 14 years, NASA has entrusted CASIS with managing this incredible asset for our nation and for the benefit of humanity," said Ramon (Ray) Lugo, principal investigator and chief executive officer of CASIS. "We are honored that NASA has extended this unique partnership through 2030, and we will continue to work in collaboration, pushing the limits of space-based R&D for the benefit of life on Earth while driving a robust and sustainable market economy in space."

posted 09-02-2026 02:05 PM               

ISS National Lab Reaches 1,000-Payload Milestone as CASIS Celebrates 15 Years of Leadership

More than 1,000 payloads launched, 675 peer-reviewed publications, and a vibrant research community underscore the value of space-based R&D.

As the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS) celebrates 15 years as manager of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, the organization is highlighting its work to advance science, technology, and commercialization in low Earth orbit.

Since August 2011, more than 1,000 ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads have been delivered to the orbiting laboratory—a milestone met during NASA's Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission. These payloads range from biotechnology and pharmaceutical development to advanced materials, Earth observation, physical sciences, in-space manufacturing, technology development, and student-led investigations. The scientific impact of this ISS National Lab-sponsored research is demonstrated by more than 675 peer-reviewed publications, including more than 20% in top-tier journals. Many of these investigations and their real-world applications have also been highlighted in Upward, the official magazine of the ISS National Lab.

"When I think about our milestone of 1,000 payloads, what stands out is the incredible range of people and ideas behind it," said Robbie Hampton, ISS National Lab director of payload operations. "Each payload represents a team that saw an opportunity to use the space environment to answer a question or test an idea in a way that wasn't possible on Earth. Reaching this milestone demonstrates how broad and diverse that community has become and highlights the role the ISS National Lab has played in expanding access to space-based research and innovation."

The examples below highlight the diverse organizations that have leveraged the ISS National Lab to advance scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and commercial development.

• Fundamental research partnerships: The ISS National Lab has established long-standing partnerships with government agencies like the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to advance critical fundamental science in both the physical and life sciences. Over the years, more than 90 projects have been funded through these government organizations.

• Leading research institutions: Academic and medical institutions across the U.S. have utilized the ISS National Lab to help improve the lives of people on Earth. Stanford University and Cedars-Sinai have conducted space-based research to better understand and treat heart disease. The University of California San Diego is using tumor organoids on the space station to study cancer progression and test new therapeutics. Mayo Clinic used microgravity to improve stem cell production for regenerative medicine applications. The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine studied bioengineered liver tissues to lay the foundation for future in-space production of human tissues.

• Pharmaceutical industry: The ISS National Lab has supported a variety of investigations from global pharmaceutical companies, including Merck & Co., AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, and others. These companies use the unique space environment to help advance drug discovery, therapeutic formulations, vaccine development, and drug-delivery technologies, accelerating the path to next-generation medicines.

• Startups and emerging companies: The ISS National Lab has also served as a business incubator, enabling more than 100 startups and emerging companies to conduct space-based research over the last 15 years. Startups leveraging the ISS National Lab have raised nearly $3 billion in funding after completion of their spaceflight projects. Many of these startups were awarded the Technology in Space Prize, funded by CASIS and Boeing in partnership with the MassChallenge startup accelerator program. CASIS also established its Orbital Edge Accelerator, and more than a dozen startups have been selected to receive seed funding from global investment partners and the ability to launch a spaceflight project through the ISS National Lab.

• Consumer brands: The ISS National Lab has partnered with a wide range of companies to enhance products for consumers on Earth, and nearly 60% of payloads launched through the ISS National Lab during CASIS management have represented private-sector entities. One of the ISS National Lab's first sponsored payloads was a Procter & Gamble (P&G) investigation focused on improving household products. Findings from the research informed the latest formulation of P&G's Febreze Fabric Spray and paved the way for subsequent collaborations, including Tide in Space. Other consumer-facing brands, including adidas, Cobra Puma Golf, and Goodyear have also partnered with the ISS National Lab to explore how the unique space environment can drive innovation and product development.

• Commercial facilities: When CASIS assumed management of the ISS National Lab, there were two commercially owned and operated facilities on the space station. Now, the ISS National Lab supports 24 such facilities located both inside and outside of the space station, significantly expanding research capabilities while helping facility operators expand their businesses and customer reach.