Destination station tells the story of the International Space Station
2014-08-13
With 15 years of established operations and national laboratory status, the International Space Station (ISS) has become a critical component to the future of research and technology development endeavors. Crew operations almost entirely focus on research and the associated Earth benefits that the space laboratory can provide to all mankind. With a core message that communicates “Off the Earth, for the Earth,” the space station program is engaging the world with the science conducted on the station and, more specifically, with the importance of a zero-gravity environment for expanding experimental testing capabilities.
Space station research outcomes have included advances in the prevention of bone loss and muscle mass through space developed countermeasures, such as exercise and diet, which include direct application to terrestrial occupational medicine. This specifically impacts treatments associated with osteoporosis, a condition that most humans will experience within their lifetime. Another direct benefit of ISS research has been realized in the arena of cancer treatment through an administration method known as microencapsulation. This drug delivery treatment, tested on ISS, allows for better targeted drug delivery to a tumor site with the goal of minimizing negative impacts related to traditional chemotherapy treatments.
For more information regarding other research benefits associated with the ISS, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html
The ISS Pprogram uses many channels to communicate the benefits to humanity, including a travelling exhibit and national awareness campaign called Destination Station. Destination Station is much more than your typical outreach effort. The national campaign seeks to engage the public, increase awareness and spur interest through participation with NASA by conducting research on ISS. The activities that comprise Destination Station help to inform and facilitate an ISS research pipeline that includes a strong participation from industry and academic partners. To help accomplish this, the ISS campaign targets approximately three cities a year.
In 2014, Destination Station visited Los Angeles, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and San Diego, California. During these visits, NASA personnel met with potential researchers in industry and academia, local legislative officials, media representatives, schools and the general public through various events. In a relatively short period of time, the campaign had a tremendous impact on each of the communities visited and successfully engaged the private sector to develop research project protocols that include the ISS as a testing platform.
Each city offers a unique opportunity for NASA to connect and collaborate based on the priorities of the local industry and the research focus of the community. During the Los Angeles campaign, Destination Station was able to establish a partnership network with several universities and industry entities, including: the University of California (Los Angeles, Riverside and Irvine); Harvey Mudd College; Saban Research Institute; and Ambry Genetics.
The Indianapolis campaign was postured in a community rich in research and development associated with the pharmaceutical industry. This campaign resulted in a partnership with NASA (through the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space) and Eli Lilly to develop a minimum of three potential experiments to be flown aboard ISS within the next three years.
A spokesperson for Eli Lilly said, “We wanted to work to design three to five experiments that would be of value to both Lilly and to NASA that could be placed on the ISS. We came up with seven and feel very good that more than three will actually make it. We also learned a little about some of our own science, and perhaps how to get grants to pay for some of this work.”
Additionally, the connections made with Dow Agro in Indianapolis show promise for several future ISS experiments. Dow Agro shared the following concerning the visit.
"Our R&D (research and development) employees are very excited and engaged after this visit. They were impressed with current research being done and are looking for connection points. I expect there will be several ideas that arise from this meeting. We look forward to discussing the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach opportunities."
The most recent campaign activities concluded in San Diego. This community offered an opportunity to meet with University of San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital, QualComm and Scripps Research Institute affiliates in support of a larger ISS research symposium activity targeted for the fall of 2014.
In addition to a strong focus on research and industry, Destination Station places great value on connecting with the general public and primary and secondary education institutions. Specifically, the focus on multiple demographics helps to spur diversity and inclusion by targeting groups that are not reached through traditional mechanisms.
In 2014, Destination Station participated in 30 school visits that included a focus on disadvantaged school districts. Public events included participation in cultural festivals such as Fiesta Del Sol and the San Diego Pride festival. Overall, Destination Station has inspired great interest and awareness in the activities associated with NASA’s ISS Program.
Over a period of 31 days and three cities, Destination Station engaged more than 67,000 general public event participants, 2,386 researchers and 10,196 students. In addition, traditional media and social media outlets reached almost 23 million traditional media viewers and garnered more than 30 million impressions across social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The success of Destination Station contributes a long term goal to fully utilize the ISS as a National Laboratory and increase awareness of the opportunity that is now available to the public.
For more information about the Destination Station Campaign, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/destination_station/
Cynthia Rando
NASA Johnson Space Center
Space station research outcomes have included advances in the prevention of bone loss and muscle mass through space developed countermeasures, such as exercise and diet, which include direct application to terrestrial occupational medicine. This specifically impacts treatments associated with osteoporosis, a condition that most humans will experience within their lifetime. Another direct benefit of ISS research has been realized in the arena of cancer treatment through an administration method known as microencapsulation. This drug delivery treatment, tested on ISS, allows for better targeted drug delivery to a tumor site with the goal of minimizing negative impacts related to traditional chemotherapy treatments.
For more information regarding other research benefits associated with the ISS, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html
The ISS Pprogram uses many channels to communicate the benefits to humanity, including a travelling exhibit and national awareness campaign called Destination Station. Destination Station is much more than your typical outreach effort. The national campaign seeks to engage the public, increase awareness and spur interest through participation with NASA by conducting research on ISS. The activities that comprise Destination Station help to inform and facilitate an ISS research pipeline that includes a strong participation from industry and academic partners. To help accomplish this, the ISS campaign targets approximately three cities a year.
In 2014, Destination Station visited Los Angeles, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and San Diego, California. During these visits, NASA personnel met with potential researchers in industry and academia, local legislative officials, media representatives, schools and the general public through various events. In a relatively short period of time, the campaign had a tremendous impact on each of the communities visited and successfully engaged the private sector to develop research project protocols that include the ISS as a testing platform.
Each city offers a unique opportunity for NASA to connect and collaborate based on the priorities of the local industry and the research focus of the community. During the Los Angeles campaign, Destination Station was able to establish a partnership network with several universities and industry entities, including: the University of California (Los Angeles, Riverside and Irvine); Harvey Mudd College; Saban Research Institute; and Ambry Genetics.
The Indianapolis campaign was postured in a community rich in research and development associated with the pharmaceutical industry. This campaign resulted in a partnership with NASA (through the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space) and Eli Lilly to develop a minimum of three potential experiments to be flown aboard ISS within the next three years.
A spokesperson for Eli Lilly said, “We wanted to work to design three to five experiments that would be of value to both Lilly and to NASA that could be placed on the ISS. We came up with seven and feel very good that more than three will actually make it. We also learned a little about some of our own science, and perhaps how to get grants to pay for some of this work.”
Additionally, the connections made with Dow Agro in Indianapolis show promise for several future ISS experiments. Dow Agro shared the following concerning the visit.
"Our R&D (research and development) employees are very excited and engaged after this visit. They were impressed with current research being done and are looking for connection points. I expect there will be several ideas that arise from this meeting. We look forward to discussing the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach opportunities."
The most recent campaign activities concluded in San Diego. This community offered an opportunity to meet with University of San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital, QualComm and Scripps Research Institute affiliates in support of a larger ISS research symposium activity targeted for the fall of 2014.
In addition to a strong focus on research and industry, Destination Station places great value on connecting with the general public and primary and secondary education institutions. Specifically, the focus on multiple demographics helps to spur diversity and inclusion by targeting groups that are not reached through traditional mechanisms.
In 2014, Destination Station participated in 30 school visits that included a focus on disadvantaged school districts. Public events included participation in cultural festivals such as Fiesta Del Sol and the San Diego Pride festival. Overall, Destination Station has inspired great interest and awareness in the activities associated with NASA’s ISS Program.
Over a period of 31 days and three cities, Destination Station engaged more than 67,000 general public event participants, 2,386 researchers and 10,196 students. In addition, traditional media and social media outlets reached almost 23 million traditional media viewers and garnered more than 30 million impressions across social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The success of Destination Station contributes a long term goal to fully utilize the ISS as a National Laboratory and increase awareness of the opportunity that is now available to the public.
For more information about the Destination Station Campaign, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/destination_station/
Cynthia Rando
NASA Johnson Space Center
Astronaut Mike Hopkins participates in a Train Like an Astronaut event held in conjunction with the San Diego Chargers and NFL PLAY60 during Destination Station: San Diego.
NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins has some fun with the San Diego Chargers.
NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins talks to 150 middle schoolers about the importance of staying healthy and fit in space.
NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim poses with local kids at the City Heights Community Park in San Diego, California.
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy was featured in a live interview at the CW San Diego 6 studio.
NASA astronaut Rex Walheim chats with the commentators on the television and radio broadcast at a San Diego Padres game at Peco Park.
Astronaut Mike Hopkins visits patients at the Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, California.
San Diego Padres fans have a chance to visit NASA's Driven to Explore mobile exhibit and snap a photo with a spacesuit.
Kids at the San Diego Discovery Children's Museum stand up from their seats to wave "bye" after a Skype Q&A with Astronaut Alvin Drew.
Visitors line up to see the Driven to Explore mobile exhibit at Earth Day Indiana during Destination Station: Indianapolis.