KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (January 10th, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) welcomes announcement that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Obama Administration have agreed to extend the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2024. This announcement is a significant moment for the orbiting laboratory which was previously intended to remain operational until at least 2020, providing 10 years to maximize use of the Station CASIS is responsible for managing and promoting research on board the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.
The ISS is a result of an unprecedented scientific and engineering collaboration between 15 nations, five space agencies and was officially completed in 2011. The ISS is critical to the scientific and research community as it provides a platform for research that cannot be conducted or replicated on Earth. With the ISS extended to 2024, this will allow CASIS a longer horizon for the development of commercial opportunities and a more robust research portfolio – which are critical in creating a tangible return on investment for the American tax payer.
“The White House and NASA announcement to extend the life of the space station makes clear the importance the ISS orbiting laboratory has for scientific inquiry, and for the nation,” said CASIS President and Executive Director, Gregory H. Johnson. “This is a significant moment not only for CASIS, but the aerospace and research communities interested in leveraging this one-of-a-kind asset.”
“The ISS National Laboratory can provide great insights into unchartered territory and also uncover novel uses of already established technologies that could reshape how we all live our lives in the future,” said Dr. Andrei Ruckenstein of Boston University, a Director on the CASIS Board and chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. “A ten year horizon for the continuing operation and utilization of the ISS is invaluable to ensuring that CASIS and the space-science community have enough time to begin realizing tangible benefits to humankind from the work aboard the National Lab.”
The ISS is our Nation’s only orbiting laboratory capable of conducting research in a variety of disciplines. Research that CASIS has brokered to date includes investigations in life and bio sciences, materials science, physical science and Earth observation. To learn more about utilizing the ISS National Laboratory, please visit: www.iss-casis.org
