Synopsis
The report is the 2023 edition of the “Annual Highlights of Results from the International Space Station” published by the International Space Station Program Science Forum. This annual report highlights some of the key scientific achievements and research results from investigations conducted on the space station over the past year (October 2022 – September 2023).
The space station celebrated its 25th year of operations in 2023. Over its lifetime, it has enabled groundbreaking microgravity research by over 3,300 scientists from 109 nations, leading to innovations in areas like biotechnology, physical sciences, human health, and Earth observations. Some key facts about research enabled by the space station:
- Over 3,700 investigations have been conducted on station since Expedition 1
- There are over 250 active research facilities on station
- Research on station has led to over 4,000 publications, with over 560 in top-tier scientific journals – about 75% of those since 2018
The report showcases results across five key research areas:
Biology & Biotechnology
- Studies on plant root growth, wound healing, disease-causing bacteria
- Over 900 publications to date
Earth & Space Science
- Unique vantage point to study Earth’s climate, atmosphere, as well as cosmic rays, neutron stars, black holes
- Over 900 publications to date
Human Research
- Studying risks to human health in space – radiation, bone/muscle loss, cardiovascular issues
- Results inform health countermeasures for astronauts and treatments on Earth
- Over 800 publications to date
Physical Sciences
- Microgravity allows study of physics/chemistry fundamentals without gravity’s effects
- Research on bubbles, foams, granular materials, quantum gases, materials science
- Over 700 publications to date
Technology Demonstration
- Testing technologies needed for future deep space exploration
- Robot locomotion, satellite control, imaging technologies, fire safety
- Over 600 publications to date
In total, around 500 investigations were conducted in 2023. The report includes highlights from some of these studies across the key research areas – such as changes to immune function and blood vessels in microgravity, improved models of neutron stars and black holes, studies of thunderstorms and atmospheric composition using onboard instruments, technology demonstrations of spacecraft hopping robots and advanced telescopes.
The diversity of research and rate of high-impact publications over the past 25 years demonstrates the space station’s capabilities as an unparalleled orbiting laboratory. As the station transitions from public to commercial management beyond 2030, it has laid the foundation for expanded microgravity research and space commercialization in the years ahead.