Space Florida Sponsoring A Contest That Will Make It Possible

Space Florida, the State’s spaceport authority and aerospace economic development organization, and NanoRacks, LLC, have announced a partnership to host the Space Florida International Space Station (ISS) Research Competition. As part of this program, NanoRacks will provide up to eight Payload Box Units (NanoLabs) that will fly payloads to the ISS, with scientific research that will be conducted on board the U.S. National Lab. Space Florida will cover the costs of research payload transportation to the ISS for the eight winning applicants.

The Space Florida ISS Research Competition is designed to inspire innovation and enable unique research opportunities and access for customers to the ISS. Breakthroughs in material and life sciences, environmental monitoring, complex drugs and other consumer items enabled by space-based research benefit a broad range of emerging markets for government, commercial and academic customers. Research proposals will be reviewed and judged by an independent and scientifically qualified team, based on commercial viability and overall benefit to mankind.

A preparatory workshop is being hosted by Space Florida and NanoRacks at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, Florida, on October 5, 2012. At the workshop, the application process, rules and requirements will be detailed. Representatives from NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) – the non-profit manager of the ISS U.S. National Laboratory – will also be present to advise attendees on the launch and research process. Private consultation time may also be requested through NanoRacks. Applicants and workshop attendees must register in advance online.

Teams should register by October 5, 2012, Final Proposals are due Oct. 31 and the competition is open to international participants.

FMI: www.spaceflorida.gov/iss-research-competition/