The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Laboratory ®
The ISS National Laboratory® allows companies, academia, nonprofits, and government agencies to leverage the unique space environment to conduct research not possible on Earth. The results benefit humanity, provide value to the nation, and enable a robust and sustainable space economy. Since 2011, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. has managed the International Space Station National Laboratory through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA.
Who we are and what we do
Responsible for 50% of payloads on NASA cargo missions, 50% of astronaut crew time.
For the past three years, 80% of our research portfolio represents private-sector interests.
Our STEM/workforce development programs help inspire and train the future workforce.
Cumulative Impact of ISS National Lab
228
Industry Projects
L3Harris, Sanofi Pasteur, Eli Lilly, Procter and Gamble, Merck, Lockheed Martin, Target, etc.
248
Academic, nonprofit, & other governmental agencies projects
University of Florida, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, Cornell, etc.
320
MEMBER Investor Network
23
Commerical Lab Facilities
33
Implementation Partners
CSS, Boeing, Sierra Space, Aerospace, Bionetics, Leidos, Teledyne Brown, etc.
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15
Commerical Service Providers
Axiom Space, Redwire, Blue Origin, Voyager Space, etc.
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>800
Payloads
$2.2B
Cumulative funding raised by startups post-ISS National lab flights
$525M
$210M NASA
$315M External Funding
Gov’t Agency Funding Partners
Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health
ISS National Lab Financial Impact
Research results we have enabled
Advancing Heart Disease Modeling & Treatment
Researchers can use heart muscle tissue grown from cells in space to advance treatments for heart disease. Without exercise, microgravity weakens muscles more quickly than aging or disease on Earth. This allows scientists to study accelerated models of heart disease. These models speed up the testing of new drugs. Space research is also advancing the production of heart cells for regenerative therapies. ISS studies could lead to more efficient ways to produce heart cells that can better survive after being transplanted into a patient’s failing heart.
Manufacturing Artificial Retinas
About 1.5 million people worldwide have vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa, and no cure exists. The startup company LambdaVision is using microgravity to produce an artificial retina that can restore vision in patients. The artificial retina is made through a layer-by-layer process using light-sensitive proteins from bacteria. On Earth, gravity causes the layers to be uneven. However, in microgravity, the layers are more uniform. This results in a higher-quality artificial retina that requires fewer layers and may be more effective in restoring vision.
Accelerating Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s & Other Neurological Conditions
In space, human brain cells grow more quickly (within 72 hours) to form 3D models of the brain called brain organoids. Brain organoids grown on Earth take weeks to months and may not mature enough to accurately model an adult human brain. Microgravity causes changes in brain organoids that mimic advanced aging and neurodegeneration. In space, researchers are using organoids to conduct clinical trials of drugs to treat Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia. These studies, which would take years to decades on Earth, only take weeks in space.
Improving Cancer Treatment
Protein crystallization on the ISS resulted in more uniform crystals of the active ingredient in Merck’s widely prescribed Keytruda® cancer drug. This allowed Merck to develop a new formulation that can be given as a quick injection, reducing costs and improving patient quality of life. Before, Keytruda® had to be delivered as a 30-minute infusion through an IV. Merck completed phase 3 clinical trials of the new formulation and expects fast-track FDA approval in 2025. Peak annual sales of the new formulation are expected to be $5 billion to $6.5 billion.
Production of Superior Semiconductors
Today, most semiconductors are made of silicon-based crystalline materials. There are limits to how much more silicon chips can be improved. Scientists are looking for ways to improve semiconductors using other elements, and space can help. On Earth, gravity hinders crystal growth by preventing the uniform mixing of materials, resulting in defects. Space-grown crystals are up to three times larger than Earth-grown crystals. They are also up to 30% more uniform. This improvement increases the usable area (free of defects) on a semiconductor wafer by 150%, lowering manufacturing costs. Advancing semiconductor technology and production through access to space is critical to the U.S. economy and national security.
Manufacturing Optical Glass Fiber
In 2024, a record three miles of ZBLAN glass fiber was drawn on the ISS. Fibers drawn in space have fewer defects that scatter light signals and reduce efficiency. There are 1.4 million km of undersea optical cables. This number will grow to 2 million km by 2030. Current cables require power-hungry repeaters (signal amplifiers) every 50 km due to signal loss. This comes at a huge energy cost. Optical networks are responsible for about 1.5% of global electricity usage. ZBLAN fibers could transmit 10-30 times more data than current fiber optic cables at distances 10-100 times further without amplification. This would lead to significant savings in energy costs.
Bioprinting Human Organs & Tissue
In space, human cells can be 3D printed to form tissues to repair damaged body parts. The first human meniscus (cartilage in the knee joint) was bioprinted on the ISS in 2023. Meniscus tears are common, affecting 1 million Americans annually. There is no treatment, and the tear often leads to a total knee replacement. On Earth, soft tissues like cartilage can collapse under their own weight during printing, but this is not so in microgravity. Human heart tissue has also been bioprinted on the ISS. In the future, biomanufacturing human organs in space for transplantation may help reduce organ shortages on Earth.