ISS National Lab

What ISS National Lab does

ISS National Lab is the public-facing brand of the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designated by Congress in 2005 to manage the U.S. National Laboratory portion of the International Space Station. NASA selected CASIS in 2011 under a Cooperative Agreement (extended through 2030) to allocate at least 50% of U.S. ISS research capacity to non-NASA commercial, academic, and government users. The organization's core product is a research-access platform that brokers microgravity experimentation in low Earth orbit (~250 miles altitude), enabling studies impossible under Earth's gravity — including 3D cell aggregation without scaffolds, higher-uniformity protein crystal growth, mature organoid self-assembly, and in-space manufacturing of materials with superior properties (e.g., artificial retinas, aerogels for carbon capture). Technical infrastructure spans internal payloads (BioCell hardware, Life Sciences Glovebox), the external MISSE Flight Facility operated by Aegis Aerospace, and the Redwire Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform for 3D bioprinting, all delivered via SpaceX Dragon, Northrop Grumman Cygnus, and Axiom Space private astronaut missions.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit construct. Primary funding flows from the NASA Cooperative Agreement (recurring annual subscription-style disbursement), supplemented by corporate sponsorships (Estée Lauder funds the Sustainability Challenge: Beyond Plastics; Boeing funds the Technology in Space Prize up to $1M non-dilutive), research grants managed through National Lab Research Announcements (NLRAs), and accelerator program economics. The Orbital Edge Accelerator (launched 2025, second cohort in 2026) packages $500K-$750K in VC funding per startup from investment partners (Cook Inlet Region Inc., E2MC, Stellar Ventures, Context Ventures, Draper Associates) with ISS flight sponsorship and Boeing prize eligibility. Customer segments span large pharma (Merck's pembrolizumab reformulation research), biotech startups (Axonis, Eascra, LambdaVision, Tympanogen), academic medical centers (Cedars-Sinai, MD Anderson, Wake Forest, UCSD), federal agencies (NIH/NCATS, AFOSR, NRL, NREL), and corporate brand partners. Outreach is event-driven via ISSRDC and ASCEND conferences, the Upward magazine, ISS360 articles, and entertainment partnerships (Marvel, Lucasfilm, Ridley Scott, Andy Weir). Distribution is exclusively direct, mediated by scientific review committees evaluating solicited proposals.

Operational scale: 11-50 employees based at Kennedy Space Center, FL; 940+ payloads supported cumulatively; 630+ published studies; 100+ startups enabled with $2.7B in collective follow-on funding; 114 payloads delivered in 2025 (a record). The organization sits at the intersection of federally funded research infrastructure, venture-backed space startup acceleration, and pharmaceutical/biotech R&D — a structurally unique position protected by congressional designation and exclusive NASA cooperative agreement through 2030.

Name

ISS National Lab

Legal name

Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc.

Website

https://issnationallab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISS National Lab, managed by CASIS under a NASA Cooperative Agreement through 2030, provides commercial, academic, and government researchers with managed access to the International Space Station's microgravity environment for life sciences, in-space manufacturing, and technology development research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Research Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

Keywords

• Space research platform
• Microgravity research
• ISS research access
• In-space manufacturing
• Space science programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NASA Cooperative Agreement Funding: Primary funding from NASA under a Cooperative Agreement for managing the ISS National Laboratory. NASA provides the research allocation and operational support for the national lab through CASIS management.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Research Funding: Companies such as Estée Lauder fund specific research challenges (Sustainability Challenge: Beyond Plastics) and provide grants for flight projects. Boeing funds the Technology in Space Prize for startup research.
3. Orbital Edge Accelerator Investment Returns: The accelerator provides $500,000-$750,000 in VC funding per startup from investment partners, with ISS National Lab flight sponsorship and Boeing's Technology in Space Prize (up to $1M non-dilutive) reducing capital requirements for space-based R&D.
4. Private Sector Research Sponsorship: Private companies, academic institutions, and government agencies sponsor research on the ISS through public-private sponsorship arrangements, paying for payload development and flight integration services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ISS National Lab, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), operates the U.S. National Laboratory on the International Space Station under a NASA Cooperative Agreement. It provides researchers, companies, and government agencies with access to a persistent microgravity environment in low Earth orbit for life sciences, physical sciences, in-space manufacturing, and technology development investigations that are not possible on Earth. The organization also runs competitive research solicitations, an accelerator program for startups, and STEM education initiatives.

Product overview

The ISS National Laboratory, managed by CASIS, operates as a national research platform in low Earth orbit offering access to the International Space Station for scientific research and technology development. The core offering is the ISS Research Platform enabling microgravity experiments across life sciences, physical sciences, in-space manufacturing, and technology development. Key programs include the Orbital Edge Accelerator (providing funding and mentorship for space startups), the MISSE Flight Facility (exterior exposure platform operated by Aegis Aerospace), and private astronaut missions. Educational initiatives through Space Station Explorers engage K-12 and higher education students. The Upward magazine publishes research results and advancements. NASA has extended the partnership through 2030, supporting over 940 payloads and 630+ published studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orbital Edge Accelerator: An accelerator program providing early-stage startups with access to low Earth orbit, $500,000-$750,000 in private capital funding, mentorship, and business development opportunities for space-based R&D.
• Upward
• Space Station Spotlight
• Technology in Space Prize

Products and services

• ISS National Laboratory Research Platform The primary research platform offering access to the International Space Station for microgravity-based scientific research and technology development across life sciences, physical sciences, in-space manufacturing, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and advanced materials production that are not possible on Earth due to gravity constraints.
• Orbital Edge Accelerator A startup accelerator program providing early-stage space technology and biotech companies with $500,000-$750,000 in venture capital funding, mentorship, business development support, and access to space-based R&D platforms through the ISS National Lab. Includes two tracks: Sentinel (space technologies and dual-use applications) and Disrupt (in-space manufacturing and space bio opportunities).
• MISSE Flight Facility The Materials International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility is a permanent platform mounted on the exterior of the ISS that provides exposure to harsh space conditions (vacuum, radiation, thermal cycling, atomic oxygen) for accelerated testing of materials and technologies with applications in space and on Earth.
• Private Astronaut Mission Research Access Private astronaut missions (including Axiom Space Ax-1, Ax-2, Ax-3) that provide researchers with access to the ISS for conducting research and technology development in low Earth orbit, enabling commercial space research and in-space manufacturing capabilities with dedicated crew time.
• Space Station Explorers A collaborative STEM consortium that delivers ISS National Lab-themed educational curriculum, products, and outreach to K-12 and university student explorers, including programs such as the Guardians of the Galaxy Space Station Challenge with Marvel Entertainment, lesson plans, ambassador programs, internships, and fellowships.
• Technology in Space Prize A prize funded by CASIS and Boeing providing grant funding (up to $1 million historically, with up to $100,000 per winner in the Orbital Edge Accelerator) in non-dilutive funding for startups conducting innovative research utilizing the ISS National Lab.

Quantifiable outcome

• Merck's ISS research contributed to FDA approval of subcutaneous pembrolizumab (Keytruda), reducing cancer treatment time from 2 hours IV infusion to approximately 1 minute injection every 3 weeks
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Andy Weir / Penguin Random House / Amazon StudiosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026An Earth Day Instagram collaboration connecting Andy Weir's science fiction (The Martian, Project Hail Mary) with real ISS National Lab research, amplified across multiple social channels. 'We saved Earth in fiction—now let's do it for real.' Demonstrates alignment between space science storytelling and research outreach.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025NASA selected CASIS in 2011 to manage the ISS National Laboratory under a Cooperative Agreement. The partnership was extended through 2030. NASA provides the ISS platform, crew time, and launch capabilities while CASIS manages the U.S. National Laboratory research allocation (at least 50% of U.S. research capacity). Under this agreement, ISS National Lab has supported over 940 payloads and 630+ published studies.
• MassChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassChallenge, the largest startup accelerator, partnered with ISS National Lab in 2013 to provide up to $100,000 in grant funding for qualified flight-ready research proposals from startups. The partnership launched the Technology in Space Prize and continues to connect the accelerator's network of startups with ISS research opportunities.
• Draper UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDraper University is a new partner joining the Orbital Edge Accelerator 2026, providing mentorship and educational programming alongside venture capital investment.
• BioServe Space TechnologiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBioServe Space Technologies is an ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider that works with research teams to develop spaceflight-ready projects, identify or develop hardware (such as the BioCell), and adapt science to the microgravity environment. BioServe supported Axonis Therapeutics' brain organoid investigation and multiple other ISS research projects.
• Axiom SpacecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAxiom Space is a Commercial Service Provider that owns and operates commercial facilities for research on the ISS and is developing future commercial space stations. They provide private astronaut missions (Ax-1, Ax-2, Ax-3) that carry ISS National Lab-sponsored research, including investigations from Eascra Biotech, UCSD, Cedars-Sinai, and others.
• Space TangominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSpace Tango is an ISS National Lab Implementation Partner and Commercial Service Provider that supports research teams in developing and executing spaceflight experiments. Served as hardware partner for the Guardians of the Galaxy Space Station Challenge Team Groot aeroponic farming experiment.
• DreamUp / NanoRacksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDreamUp (with NanoRacks as hardware integration partner) is an ISS National Lab Implementation Partner that helps transform student and researcher ideas into spaceflight experiments. Supported the Guardians of the Galaxy Space Station Challenge Team Rocket dental glue experiment.
• Rhodium ScientificminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRhodium Scientific is an ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider that provides engineering support for research projects. Supported the Sustainability Challenge Beyond Plastics project on biological recycling of plastic waste.
• Aegis Aerospace (MISSE Flight Facility)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAegis Aerospace owns and operates the MISSE Flight Facility, a permanent external platform on the ISS that exposes materials and technologies to harsh space conditions. The POLARIS experiment and other materials science projects utilize this facility.
• Redwire SpacecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRedwire Space provides the Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform used for ISS National Lab-sponsored 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering experiments, including Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine's liver tissue investigation.
• NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCATS, part of the National Institutes of Health, has a multi-year partnership with ISS National Lab to fund tissue chip research on the space station. This research aims to enhance understanding of human diseases and improve drug therapy testing methods, complementing ISS National Lab's tissue chip investigations.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum collaborated with ISS National Lab on ASCEND 2026 conference programming focused on microgravity research, startup opportunities, and ISS heritage preservation. The Smithsonian is collecting artifacts and stories for its 'At Home in Space' exhibit.
• Marvel EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarvel collaborated with ISS National Lab on the Guardians of the Galaxy Space Station Challenge (2016-2018), inspiring students to propose microgravity flight experiments tied to Rocket and Groot characters. Also partnered on mission patches and ongoing outreach.
• Lucasfilm (Star Wars)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLucasfilm and ISS National Lab collaborated in 2017 to create a mission patch inspired by the Star Wars franchise, shaped like the Millennium Falcon and featuring ISS and Death Star imagery, commemorating over 100 experiments conducted that year.
• Ridley ScottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, The Martian) collaborated with ISS National Lab on a mission patch that embraced the wonder of space-based science, leveraging the power of filmmaking and research taking place on the station.
• Trivedi Institute for Space and Global BiomedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetired NASA astronaut Kate Rubins announced her new role directing the Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine to translate ISS discoveries into broader human health benefits. ISS National Lab collaborates on advancing space medicine centers inspired by ISS research.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Axiom Space: Provides private astronaut missions to the ISS that carry ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads and is developing the Axiom Station commercial space station. Comparable as a competing/complementary manager of commercial LEO research access.
• Voyager Space (Starlab): Developing the Starlab commercial space station with Northrop Grumman and partners. Comparable as a direct future competitor for non-NASA LEO research allocation post-ISS.
• Blue Origin (Orbital Reef): Co-developing the Orbital Reef commercial LEO destination with Sierra Space. Comparable as a competing mixed-use commercial space station targeting research customers similar to ISS National Lab users.
• Space Tango: ISS National Lab implementation partner offering integrated payload development and flight services. Comparable as a service provider executing microgravity research programs on the ISS for similar customer segments.
• Redwire Space: Provides on-orbit hardware and facilities used by ISS National Lab researchers (e.g., Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform) and is building commercial space station infrastructure. Comparable as a space hardware and biotech research platform peer.
• BioServe Space Technologies: Commercial service provider for ISS life-sciences research, supplying hardware (BioCell) and integration for cell-culture and biology experiments. Comparable as a peer operating the same microgravity life-sciences research stack for overlapping academic and biotech customers.
• Aegis Aerospace: Owns and operates the MISSE Flight Facility external platform on the ISS used by ISS National Lab researchers for materials testing. Comparable as a peer providing space-exposure research infrastructure for similar customers.

Emerging players

• Vast: Developing commercial space stations targeting microgravity research and in-space manufacturing. Comparable as an emerging competitor for the same research customer base that ISS National Lab serves today.
• Sierra Space: Building the Dream Chaser spaceplane and large inflatable habitats (LIFE) for commercial LEO destinations. Comparable as a provider of commercial LEO infrastructure that could host research customers currently using the ISS National Lab.

Broad incumbents

• European Space Agency (Columbus Laboratory): Operates the Columbus Laboratory aboard the ISS and allocates European microgravity research capacity, paralleling CASIS's U.S. role. Comparable as an intergovernmental peer managing non-NASA national research allocation in LEO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISS_CASIS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ISSCASIS
• Facebookfacebook.com/issnationallab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/issnationallab
• Instagraminstagram.com/issnationallab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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Frequently asked questions about ISS National Lab