Title: Astronauts Support Cutting-Edge Research on the ISS National Lab
Four crew members are set to embark on a new long-duration science expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission. The crew will engage in a wide variety of research sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®, including materials and physical sciences experiments and biomedical research. These investigations aim to benefit humanity and drive commerce in low Earth orbit.
NASA astronauts Anne McClain (commander) and Nichole Ayers (pilot) will join JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov as part of Expedition 73 on the space station. The Crew-10 astronauts will support several ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations during their expedition, including projects funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that focus on transport phenomena, fluid dynamics, and biomedical research.
One investigation from Lehigh University in collaboration with Tec-Masters will study particles in complex fluids to improve viral load detection devices. Another project from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute aims to study protein clumping in pharmaceutical manufacturing, while a project from the University of Alabama-Birmingham will explore ceramic-nanomaterial composites. Additionally, a project from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech aims to improve the production of Janus base nanomaterials for therapeutic applications.
The Crew-10 mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is scheduled to launch on March 12, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Over the coming weeks, additional information will be available regarding ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations launching on future missions to the space station.
The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is a unique research facility that enables scientists to conduct experiments in a microgravity environment not possible on Earth. Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®), the ISS National Lab supports research initiatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to advance science, technology, and education in space.
In conclusion, the Crew-10 mission represents a significant opportunity for astronauts to support cutting-edge research on the ISS National Lab. Through these investigations, valuable insights can be gained to benefit humanity and drive innovation in low Earth orbit. Stay tuned for more updates on future ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations and continue to support advancements in space science and technology.
