The 9th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) kicks off as a virtual event this Thursday, August 27, bringing together researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, and the general public to showcase the benefits of conducting research and technology development onboard our nation’s industrial incubator in low Earth orbit (LEO). Each year, ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), NASA, and the American Astronautical Society.

This year, the conference will take place as an online series featuring three days of virtual plenary sessions: Day 1 on August 27, Day 2 on September 17, and Day 3 on October 22. The virtual sessions are free to attend; however, registration is required for each day.

On Day 1 of the ISSRDC Online Series, NASA leadership will provide a variety of programmatic updates that have direct impacts on the space station, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will give a welcome address. Additionally, multiple sessions will focus on the rising LEO economy, with commercial launch partners and private-sector researchers discussing how they are leveraging the ISS to validate facilities and business models. Highlighted below are the Day 1 sessions, many of which allow for questions and answers within the webcast platform.

10:00-10:15 a.m. EDT
Welcome Message from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine

10:15-10:25 a.m. EDT
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Update
Kathy Lueders, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA

10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT
NASA Biological and Physical Sciences Program Update (with Q&A)
Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA

11:00-11:30 a.m. EDT
LEO Commercialization 
Speakers include:

  • Phil McAlister, Director of Commercial Spaceflight Program, NASA
  • Angela Hart, LEO Commercialization Manager, NASA
  • Robyn Gatens, Deputy Director, ISS Division and System Capability Leader, NASA

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. EDT
State of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory (with Q&A)
(Moderated by Jeff Foust, Senior Writer, Space News)
Speakers include:

  • Alex MacDonald, Chief Economist and ISS National Lab Program Executive, NASA
  • Ken Shields, Chief Operating Officer, CASIS
  • Marybeth Edeen, Manager of ISS Research Integration Office, NASA

12:30-12:45 p.m. EDT
ISS Program Office Updates
Joel Montalbano, Manager, ISS Program, NASA

12:45-2:00 p.m. EDT
Building the LEO Economy (with Q&A)
(Moderated by Mike Gold, Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of International and Interagency Relations, NASA)
Speakers include:

  • Carissa Christenson, Chief Executive Officer, Bryce Analytics and Engineering
  • Michael Suffredini, Co-founder and President/Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Space
  • Richard Dalbello, Vice President Business Development, Virgin Galactic
  • Andrew Rush, Chief Executive Officer and NASA Advisory Council member for Regulatory and Policy, Made In Space
  • Nicole Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer, LambdaVision

The ISSRDC Online Series is free to the public, but registration is required to join the webcast. To view the full agenda and register for Day 1, please visit the conference website.

Media Contact: 
Patrick O’Neill
904-806-0035
PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org

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About the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the ISS as the nation’s newest national laboratory to optimize its use for improving quality of life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by non-NASA U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The ISS National Lab manages access to the permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space.