As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of continuous human presence on the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts have remained remarkably active this year.
Orbiting more than 400 km above Earth, they've conducted a wide array of microgravity experiments, generating critical data to advance our space exploration future. Here are key highlights.
In 2020, ISS crews served as both videographers and subjects for The ISS Experience, a cinematic virtual reality production capturing daily life on the orbiting laboratory. In this image, astronaut Jessica Meir exchanges carriers for bone samples in the Life Science Glove Box.
Astronauts and cosmonauts aren't the only busy "bees" aboard the ISS. The station hosts AstroBees—robotic assistants equipped with cameras and sensors to handle routine tasks, freeing crews for high-priority science.
Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy activated two of the three AstroBees to prepare for the "Kibo" robot programming challenge, allowing students to test their code on these autonomous robots.
Astronaut Chris Cassidy sets up the VECTION survey, which investigates how microgravity affects visual perception of motion, orientation, and distance.
Before returning to Earth, NASA astronaut Christina Koch advanced research in the Cold Atom Laboratory, cooling gases near absolute zero to study quantum effects. These insights could refine quantum mechanics understanding and enable technologies like ultra-precise sensors and clocks.
Shortly after arriving on station, astronaut Victor Glover participated in ESA's GRIP experiment, examining how extended spaceflight impacts grip strength control and upper limb movements during object manipulation.
Astronauts Jessica Meir and Kate Rubins contributed to vital cardiac research during their missions.
Meir advanced the Engineered Heart Tissues experiment to deepen understanding of heart function, with potential applications in drug development and Earth-based heart disease treatments.
Rubins led the Cardinal Heart study, exploring heart muscle aging and weakening to develop therapies for both spacefarers and people on Earth.
Arriving via SpaceX's first crewed mission, astronaut Bob Behnken tested the H2Okinetic shower head to evaluate water flow in microgravity, aiming to enhance efficiency, user comfort, and resource conservation.
Astronaut Kate Rubins recently harvested the first radishes grown on the ISS. The approximately 20 plants were stored in a cold room for return to Earth next year.
Supporting NASA's vision for sustainable lunar and Martian exploration, this research tests plant growth in microgravity, essential as freight costs make on-site food production a necessity for long-duration missions.
Astronaut Chris Cassidy sequences and identifies microbial DNA samples inside the Harmony module.
Chris Cassidy handles blood, saliva, urine, and feces samples for a food physiology study, assessing how dietary enhancements influence human adaptation to spaceflight.
Jessica Meir monitors her blood samples for the Vascular Echo experiment, which tracks vessel wall thickening and stiffening in space via regular ultrasounds.
