Recent research accomplishments on the International Space Station

Abstract

Astronauts have conducted more than four years of continuous space research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The US laboratory module, Destiny, is outfitted with a robust suite of scientific equipment to support spaceflight research. Research, albeit limited, is ongoing in spite the grounding of the Space Shuttle fleet as a result of the loss of the Columbia in February 2003. Results from the last four years of research on ISS are now appearing in the scientific literature. Indeed, scientific articles are now being submitted to peer-reviewed journals from the ISS by the Science Officer on board. This paper addresses the recent research results and accomplishments; and discusses the unique challenges faced in these early years of ISS assembly, including the methods for conduct of research while the Space Shuttle is unavailable as a resource for deploying and returning experiments for the ISS. We also discuss how the research portfolio is being realigned to support the use of ISS to enable NASA's Exploration Mission.