Over the last 20 years, astronauts aboard NASA's International Space Station (ISS) have conducted science that would not be practical or even possible on Earth. Orbiting about 250 miles above the planet, the space station is the only laboratory available for long-duration microgravity research.
During the past two decades, the space station has supported numerous discoveries, scientific publications, unique opportunities, and historic breakthroughs. This research not only helps scientists and engineers explore farther into space, but it also benefits people back on Earth.
To mark 20 years of science and technology, NASA has selected 20 scientific and engineering breakthroughs achieved as a result of space station science. The following comes from NASA’s 20 years of breakthroughs website.
John Blyler is a Design News senior editor, covering the electronics and advanced manufacturing spaces. With a BS in Engineering Physics and an MS in Electrical Engineering, he has years of hardware-software-network systems experience as an editor and engineer within the advanced manufacturing, IoT and semiconductor industries. John has co-authored books related to system engineering and electronics for IEEE, Wiley, and Elsevier.