International solicitation of life science and space medicine research themes utilizing the International Space Station

1. Summary of the solicitation
   The purpose of the international solicitation of life science and space medicine research themes is to obtain the maximum results utilizing the limited experiment equipment and resources of the International Space Station (ISS). The solicitation and selection of the research themes are managed by the International Life Science Working Group, composed of representative members from the US, Europe, Canada and Japan. The 1998 solicitation was opened in June and closed in January 1999.
   
   The research proposals will be received by the space organizations of the individual participating countries, then evaluated and selected by an international panel. Research theme proposers can use any of the equipment offered by the participating space organizations.
   
   
2. Participating space organizations
   
   The participating space organizations are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), National Space Research Center of France (CNES), German Space Agency (DLR), and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA).
   
   
3. Solicitation in 1998

   
   (1)Subject of the solicitation
   Research themes were solicited in the field of life science and space medicine.

   
   The selected themes will be flown during the early stage of the ISS and Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), from 2001 through 2003. Also, Space Shuttle mission STS-117, which will be flown to supplement the ISS early stage utility opportunities, will be included.

   
   (2)Conditions for solicitation
   No conditions were applied with regards to the nationality of the experiment theme proposer or the location of his or her organization.
   
   (3)Reception

   Reception started	:	June 1, 1998
   Reception closed	:	Aug. 3, 1998
   Proposal submission due date (domestic)	:	Sep. 10, 1998
   Proposal submission due date (international)	:	Oct. 1, 1998

   
   (4)Selection. [Term is subject to change.]
   
   • Preliminary selection conducted by individual participating organizations
     [Till Sep. 1998]
   • International scientific evaluation by the panel composed of international reseatchers.
     [From Jan. to Feb. 1999]
   • International feasibility engineering evaluation by participating organizations.
     [From Jan. to Mar. 1999]
   • Re-evaluation by individual participating organizations. Each organization prioritizes the themes, considering consistency with political opinion or budget.
     [By Mar. 1999]
   • Based on the results of the procedures above, final themes will be selected in an international meeting considering available resources.
     [By Apr., 1999]
   
   (5)Budget
   The budget for the selected themes will be negotiated between the proposing organization and NASDA. The budget includes preparation costs and costs for ground post-experiment analysis. NASDA will not share the expense for themes proposed by foreign organizations.
   
   (6)Organization in charge
   NASDA's Space Environment Utilization Committee will perform preliminary selections or re-evaluation in Japan.
   
   
4. Experiment equipment offered by NASDA
   
   

   (1)	Cell Biology Experiment Facility (See Notes 1 and 2.)
   (2)	Clean Bench (See Notes. 1 and 3.)
   (3)	Real-time Radiation Monitoring Device (RRMD), and Bonner Ball Neutron Detector BBND.
   Note 1.	Items (1) and (2) include all of the devices on the life science common experiment facility which are available during the corresponding time period.
   Note 2.	An incubator with controlled temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide density. It has a small centrifuge which enables generating artificial gravity. Results of the experiments conducted under different artificial gravity levels can be compared.
   Note 3.	Offers a bacteria-free clean environment; equipped with a fluorescent microscope.

   
   
5. Experiment devices offered by participating space organizations
   
   The NASA offers a total of 43 devices (18 medicine research devices, 8 biological devices including revised animal experiment devices, and 17 support devices). An additional four devices developed cooperatively by NASA and ESA will also be available. ESA will offer three devices including biolab. DLR will also offer three devices including Lower Body Negative Pressure. CSA will offer two devices including an insect incubating device, and Japan will offer three devices. A total of 58 devices will be available.
   
   Microgravity science multiuser facilities

Last Updated : Jan.21, 2002