Space Station Technology Demonstration - NASA

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Astronaut Set to Patch NASA’s X-ray Telescope Aboard Space Station

NASA astronaut Nick Hague will install patches to the agency’s NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) X-ray telescope on the International Space Station as part of a spacewalk scheduled for Jan. 16. Hague, along with astronaut Suni Williams, will also complete other tasks during the outing.

An astronaut practicing in a pool

Astronaut Nick Hague removes a patch from the caddy using a T-handle tool during a training exercise in the NBL at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on May 16, 2024. The booklet on his wrist has a schematic of the NICER telescope and where the patches will go.

NASA/NBL Dive Team

Research Opportunity

Up to $650,000 Funding for Tech Advancement in Low Earth Orbit

The International Space Station International Space Station 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.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams checks out the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the Kibo laboratory module outfitted with tentacle-like arms containing gecko-like adhesive pads to demonstrate satellite capture techniques. Development of this robotic technology may increase the life span of satellites and enable the removal of space debris.

Credits: NASA

NASA to Test Solution for Radiation-Tolerant Computing in Space

Onboard computers are critical to space exploration, aiding nearly every spacecraft function from propulsion and navigation systems to life support technology, science data retrieval and analysis, communications, and reentry.

A silver cube with the name RadPC is attached to a golden square.

The Radiation Tolerant Computer, or RadPC, payload undergoes final checkout at Montana State University in Bozeman, which leads the payload project. RadPC is one of 10 NASA payloads set to fly aboard the next delivery for NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative in 2025. RadPC prototypes previously were tested aboard the International Space Station and Earth-orbiting satellites, but the technology demonstrator will undergo its biggest trial in transit to the Moon – passing through the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts – and during its roughly two-week mission on the lunar surface.

Credits: Firefly Aerospace

New Earth Observation Technology to Expand Insights on Environment

With its unparalleled view of Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) is about to take its environmental monitoring to new heights. An ISS National Laboratory®-sponsored payload, engineered by Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc. for the external hosting Airbus-developed platform Bartolomeo, is set to expand access to the space station’s unprecedented vantage point for research and technology demonstrations.

NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Suni Williams work inside the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock on the ISS, installing the ArgUS Mission-1 hardware to test its external operations in space.

NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Suni Williams work inside the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock on the ISS, installing the ArgUS Mission-1 hardware to test its external operations in space.

Innovation in Focus: Technology Development

Enter the realm of low Earth orbit, where the International Space Station (ISS) serves as a beacon of innovation and a testament to human ingenuity. The ISS National Laboratory sponsors groundbreaking research and development (R&D) pioneering new technologies.

image of a floating vest used for a radiation protection experiment aboard the space station

A view to the AstroRad Vest in the Cupola module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). AstroRad Vest was developed to mitigate radiation threats to crew members on missions to the Moon and Mars.

NASA

Research Opportunities

The ISS provides the safest, and most efficient capability to test, improve, and qualify advancements in space flight hardware.

Find Opportunities Available

image of biomolecule sequencer experiment hardware

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson works on the Genes In Space-3 experiment demonstrating ways in which portable, real-time DNA sequencing can be used to monitor crew health aboard the space station.

NASA

More Information

Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi

Researcher's Guide

This booklet provides prospective technology and advanced system developers the information needed to aid in the formulation of demonstration concepts.

Advanced Life Support Systems on the International Space Station infographic.

Fact Sheet and Infographic

Find out interesting facts about the station's environmental control and life support systems.

Podcasts and Videos

Listen and watch these episodes to learn more about technology demonstrations on station.

image of packaged experiment samples being prepared for flight

Station Research Explorer Database

Search or browse information at your fingertips about space station experiments, facilities/capabilities, and publications.

ISS R&D 2015 Banner Image

ISS R&D Conference

Learn how to harness the International Space Station (ISS) and the unique conditions of space to help solve your most pressing research and technology development challenges. Set for Seattle in July 2025.

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Latest News from Space Station Research

Opportunities and Information for Researchers

In Space Production Applications

Technology

The Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) takes on the technical challenges of Earth observations by funding, developing and demonstrating cutting-edge…