The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) today formally opened a cotton sustainability challenge, sponsored by Target Corporation, where researchers and innovators will have the ability to propose solutions to improve crop production on Earth by sending their concepts to the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. The challenge will leverage a broad range of disciplines to find breakthrough solutions that can be implemented affordably and benefit the cotton production community. The challenge is slated to run from September 5th through November 1st, 2017. Selected proposals will receive grant funding through Target Corporation and ultimately manifested for flight to the ISS National Lab.
 
Cotton is a natural plant fiber produced in many countries and one of the most important raw materials required for the production of textiles and clothing. Cotton cultivation requires sustainable access to natural resources like water that are increasingly threatened. This challenge seeks to engage the creative power of the research community to leverage the ISS National Lab to innovate and generate ideas that will improve the utilization of natural resources for sustainable cotton production.
 
Researchers are encouraged to submit concepts focused on, but not limited to: fluid dynamics, fluid flow, cotton or plant germination, different cultivars of cotton genetics, water uptake and gene expression. Data generated from the research experiments selected will be provided to the public, with the hope that the discoveries made can be leveraged by other researchers and product developers.
 
To learn more about this challenge, including background on scientific research areas of interest and how to submit a proposal, please visit:
https://www.iss-casis.org/cottonsustainabilitychallenge/
 
To learn more about the on-orbit capabilities of the ISS National Lab, including past research initiatives and available facilities, visit www.spacestationresearch.com.