ISSNL

ISS National Laboratory (ISSNL) is the United States government program that enables research, technology development, and education aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Designated as a national resource, the ISSNL seeks to maximize scientific discovery and the potential economic and societal benefits of space research. The program is administered by NASA, with involvement from researchers, industry partners, and universities.

The ISSNL supports a broad portfolio of experiments across life sciences, physical sciences, materials science, Earth observation, and human research. Researchers from the United States and international partners may propose experiments to be conducted on the ISS. Proposals undergo a peer‑review process, and approved experiments are scheduled for flight and operation aboard the station. The program provides access to lab facilities, crew time, payload integration, and data management, and it may involve funding or cost-sharing arrangements depending on the project type and partnership.

Historically, the designation of the ISS as a national laboratory was established to promote broader use of the ISS for research beyond NASA’s own missions. Over time, the program has engaged academic institutions, industry, and nonprofit and other organizations to broaden participation and accelerate technology maturation.

The ISSNL also supports education and outreach activities to enhance STEM learning by making on‑orbit research more accessible to students and educators where possible. The program aims to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by enabling a wide range of users to conduct experiments in microgravity and space environments.

See also: International Space Station, NASA, Space biology, Microgravity research.