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Current Areas of Opportunity. NASA Authorization Act of 2005 designated the International Space Station (ISS) a National Laboratory. Major policy initiatives in both branches of Federal government may include fiscal resources for use of ISS by other government agencies:
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Current Areas of Opportunity • NASA Authorization Act of 2005 designated the International Space Station (ISS) a National Laboratory. • Major policy initiatives in both branches of Federal government may include fiscal resources for use of ISS by other government agencies: • Congressional PACE Bills (“Protecting America’s Competitive Edge”) • Presidential ACI (“American Competitiveness Initiative”) • Due to FY ‘07 continuing resolutions, PACE Act(s) may not be passed until FY ‘08. • Schedule is consistent with ISS post-assembly, full-up utilization period commencing in FY ‘11. Presenter: Mark Uhran Agency/Organization: NASA, International Space Station Program
Promising Areas for Space-Related Health Research Collaborations • The microgravity environment of space is an extraordinarily unique resource enabling the study of motion at the molecular level. • Eliminates masking effect of gravity. • Allows insight into mass transfer mechanisms. • Suggests potential for control of mass transfer with applications to macromolecular crystallization, tissue culturing… • Inter-Agency MOU’s enable NASA to commit physical resources for strategic alliances to advance research in biomedicine and biotechnology. • Application to NASA mission needs is a benefit, but not an essential ingredient.
Existing Resources to Facilitate Space-Related Health Research • ISS accommodations are currently in surplus during post-assembly timeframe. • Laboratory space • Power/thermal • Data processing • Crew-time • NASA is investing $500 million to ensure transportation capacity is available. • Commitments of ISS resources will be made on a first come, first serve basis via strategic alliances. • Other government agencies have “first rights” to surplus accommodations on ISS. The window-of-opportunity is opening.