Awards Presented At The International Space Station Research And Development Conference In Chicago

NASA, the American Astronautical Society and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) have announced 14 awards for the top research and technology achievements of 2013 made possible by the International Space Station.

The third annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference in Chicago this week brought together the best investigators in academia, industry and government to discuss the broad scope of research and technology development on the space station. This research not only supports NASA in preparing astronauts for long-duration missions farther into the solar system than ever before, but it also provides lasting benefits to life on Earth.

Past, present and potential participants of space station research and technology development attended the conference to share, learn and expand the possibilities for future microgravity research. The event also provided a forum for researchers interested in sending their research projects to the orbiting laboratory to learn more about the benefits to both individual research projects and entire industries and scientific disciplines.

"The goal of this conference is to bring people together to share their stories, findings and experiences and to entice, excite and encourage all to bring forward new ideas to capitalize on the unique opportunity for microgravity research," said Allyson Thorn of NASA's International Space Station Research Integration Office at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "This will be an exciting decade for the space station as we continue to learn more and turn ideas into opportunities, results and plans for humanity's future."

The theme of this year's conference was discoveries, applications and opportunities: discoveries in microgravity, space and Earth science, as well as engineering and education; applications benefitting Earth, enabling technology and forwarding exploration; and opportunities for use of this innovative laboratory.

The awards are presented to recognize investigations and technological developments that support NASA's long-term missions of exploration and improving life on Earth. The winners represent two companies, six governmental organizations and six universities from 12 states, Japan and Russia. The award categories were: most compelling results; biotechnology, health and education; engineering development and technology maturation, with a focus on commercial and exploration applications; and, discoveries.

FMI: http://go.nasa.gov/1lCDTNd