How the Space Station helps us on Earth

From medical breakthroughs to improvements in viniculture, the ISS has produced many benefits

Opening space to private enterprise

Already more than half of the commercial research payloads are self-financing.

Crystallised protein for better drugs

Protein crystallography is an exciting area of pharmaceutical development, and one protein developed on the iss – hematopoietic prostaglandin d synthase (h-PGds) – may lead to drugs for muscular dystrophy.

Laser eye surgery

Laser surgery to correct vision defects is a life-changer for many people, and relies on eye tracking technology first developed in an iss experiment into balance and eye movement.

Exercise and medicine for osteoporosis

studies of astronauts' loss of bone density led to breakthroughs in the value of exercise and vitamins, as well as a new drug called Prolia to treat osteoporosis.

Making better wine

Robotic cancer surgery

The iss's robotic arm is a powerful heavy lifter, yet its control mechanism inspired a delicate surgical robot that can perform biopsies and even remove tumours inside NMR scanners. Problems growing plants in orbit led to the invention of AdvAsc to remove excess ethylene, giving longer shelf life of fruit and vegetables and better conditions in wine cellars.

Checking ocean health

The quality of coastal waters was studied in detail by the hyperspectral imager for the coastal ocean (hico), which measured clarity, phytoplankton, light absorption, and cyanobacteria.

Portable diagnostic equipment

Research into the capillary flow behaviour of fluids in microgravity led to a new portable medical testing device, which could improve diagnosis of diseases in remote areas.

Cleaner water for everyone

water is reused many times on the iss. new ultrafiltration techniques have been developed, which also help people in remote locations and in disaster relief.

Ultrasound by remote guidance

investigating ways to deliver expert medical attention to astronauts showed how small

ultrasound machines and telemedicine procedures could be

used in remote places on earth.

Microbial vaccines

salmonella can be even more virulent in microgravity than on earth. This discovery led scientists to study genetic pathways for bacterial pathogens and the development of new

microbial vaccines.

Inspiring the next generation

Tens of millions of students have taken part in experiment programmes including YOUTUBE space Lab, student spaceflight experiments and spheres

Zero Robotics, motivating many towards science courses and careers.

Taking pictures for disaster relief

The iss passes over 90 per cent of the earth’s populated areas every 24 hours, providing unprecedented opportunities to

assist by producing detailed imagery.