Leading space experts from around the world gathered at the Royal Institution today to discuss the future of microgravity research and human presence in low Earth orbit.
(UK ) 6 September 2024 : NASA worked with the UK Space Agency to co-host the workshop, which builds on the success of two previous events held in 2022 and 2023.
The workshop brings together international partners to refine draft goals and objectives that will set strategic directions for the space community on scientific, exploration and commercial goals in low Earth Orbit (LEO).
A key focus of the workshop surrounds discussion on future low Earth orbit infrastructure. As new commercial space stations come online, there is an increased focus on preserving and expanding research capabilities and developing critical technologies for future deep space exploration.
The UK Space Agency is actively exploring how best to maximise the research, development and manufacturing opportunities this presents, and how to work constructively with international partners to support the transition.
More broadly, microgravity research is not only vital for space exploration, but also delivers benefits to Earth. It allows scientists to study biological, physical and chemical processes without the influence of Earth’s gravity, which has led to advancements in fields such as medicine, material science and fluid dynamics.
One important example is drug development, where protein crystal growth experiments conducted on the ISS have provided improvements to the treatment of numerous diseases including cancers and gum disease. Promising results have come from the study of a protein associated with the chronic genetic disorder Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy (DMD). Treatment for DMD is now in clinical trials – based on research from the ISS.