CASIS

Congress asks for GAO investigation of ISS National Lab
The leadership of the House Science Committee has asked the Government Accountability Office to examine the operations of the portion of the International Space Station designated a national lab, including whether reforms planned by NASA will be effective.

NASA adjusting its strategy for LEO commercialization
Less than a year after rolling out a broad strategy for supporting commercial activity in low Earth orbit, NASA is working to revise that strategy while restructuring its management of commercial initiatives.

Report criticizes management of ISS National Laboratory
An independent review panel sharply criticized the management of the International Space Station National Laboratory, with both NASA and the organization that manages the laboratory agreeing to significant changes.

FOMS reports high-quality ZBLAN production on ISS
Fiber Optic Manufacturing in Space (FOMS) Inc. presented the results Nov. 7 of its successful campaign to produce optical fiber on the International Space Station.

ISS National Lab work continues amid NASA review
An independent review of the nonprofit organization that operates the portion of the International Space Station designated a national lab has not affected its day-to-day work, an organization official said Sept. 16.

NASA to seek independent review of ISS National Laboratory
NASA will perform an independent review of the non-profit organization that runs the portion of the International Space Station designated a national laboratory while also calling for a “strategic pause” in that organization’s work.

CASIS seeks to increase awareness of ISS national lab with name change
The organization that runs the portion of the International Space Station designated a U.S. national laboratory hopes that a change in branding will increase the awareness, and utilization, of the facility.

Microgravity entrepreneurs eager to know what comes after ISS
Uncertainty over the timing of the orbiting outpost’s retirement and the eventual transition to one or more new platforms is making it challenging for companies to attract investors and plan for the future.

Delta Faucet and Goodyear Tires sending experiments to International Space Station
Delta Faucet Co. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced partnerships July 24 with the Center for the Advancement of Science is Space to send microgravity experiments to the International Space Station later this year.

Taco Bell Space Station? It’s possible, panelists say
If a new commercial space station is “paid for by Taco Bell, it will be the Taco Bell Space Station,” said Benjamin Reed, deputy director for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite Servicing Projects Division.

CASIS president to step down
The head of the organization that manages the national laboratory portion of the International Space Station will leave next month as it deals with an uncertain long-term future for the station.

CASIS focuses on near-term ISS utilization despite long-term uncertainty
Despite reports that the administration will seek to end NASA involvement in the International Space Station in the mid-2020s, the nonprofit organization that operates the national laboratory portion of the ISS is more concerned with near-term utilization issues.