The International Space Station has offered unique opportunities for materials science based on a microgravity environment—where buoyancy- and density-driven convection is negligible.  In this environment, well-designed experiments of fluid dynamics, solidification and crystallization, and phase changes have offered unique experimental insights not available on Earth.  Significant results have also been obtained that could be relevant to biological synthesis with changes in antibiotic production and virulence of bacteria grown in space. With the declaration of ISS as a National Laboratory, it becomes possible to move beyond successful experimental models to larger scale synthesis or production in space.  In addition to providing an overview of materials research investigations and facilities on ISS to date, we will also discuss the NASA vision of commercializing service providers in low Earth orbit.  This vision includes competitively-priced commercial transportation, commercial facility operation on the space station, and plans to extend this economic activity beyond the lifetime of ISS.  Over the next few years, we expect in-space synthesis to emerge as a viable option in low-Earth orbit for high-value materials that cannot be made on Earth.<br/>

Materials processing on the International Space Station and enabling long-term industry access to low Earth orbit

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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