Space Station Technology Demonstration - NASA

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Repair Kit for NASA’s NICER Mission Heading to Space Station

NASA will deliver a patch kit for NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer), an X-ray telescope on the International Space Station, on the agency’s Northrop Grumman 21st commercial resupply mission. Astronauts will conduct a spacewalk to complete the repair.

: NICER’s X-ray concentrators are dark circles in eight staggered rows covering this image. Each one is divided into six segments, like a sliced pie, by its sunshade. The concentrators rest in a white frame of the telescope.

This view shows NICER’s 56 X-ray concentrators. Astronauts plan to cover some of them with special patches on a future spacewalk.

NASA

Next Generation NASA Technologies Tested in Flight

Teams of NASA researchers put their next-generation technologies to the microgravity test in a series of parabolic flights that aim to advance innovations supporting the agency’s space exploration goals.

Five people in flight suits work on an experiment while floating in a simulated lunar gravity environment.

Erin Rezich, Ian Haskin, QuynhGiao Nguyen, Jason Hill (Zero-G staff), and George Butt experience Lunar gravity while running test operations on the UBER payload.

Zero-G

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

NASA’s Laser Relay System Sends Pet Imagery to, from Space Station

Using NASA’s first two-way, end-to-end laser relay system, pictures and videos of cherished pets flew through space over laser communications links at a rate of 1.2 gigabits per second — faster than most home internet speeds.

A collage of the pet photos sent over laser links from Earth to LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration) to ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) on the space station. Animals submitted include cats, dogs, birds, chickens, cows, snakes, pigs, and more.

A collage of the pet photos sent over laser links from Earth to LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration) to ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) on the space station. Animals submitted include cats, dogs, birds, chickens, cows, snakes, pigs, and more.

NASA/Dave Ryan

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.

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2024 ISS R&D Conference

Registration is open for the 2024 International Space Station Research and Development Conference in Boston in July.

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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…